a computer scientist with BA and MA from Cambridge university, explains in this detailed paper why on the one hand side all software has a technical effect since it runs on a computer, on the other relaxing the restrictions on patentability on this basis will not lead to satisfactory results. Lists in detail what the adverse effects would be. Moreover explains that we are facing a choice of social paradigms: either a centralistic extension of TV-like media to the Internet or a global village where people more freely and actively participate in social and economic life.

author: Richard Watts Date of Submission: 2000 files: watts.pdf and local copy