Say No To Software Patents/Chatlog: Difference between revisions

<pre style="overflow: auto;">

*** You have joined channel #bmslug  [08:32]

*** Users on #bmslug: shyam_k prasad @ChanServ  

*** #bmslug modes: +sn

*** #bmslug was created on ഞായര്‍ 2008/08/10 09:32:18  IST

<shyam_k> hi

<shyam_k> thanks

*** t3rm1n4l (n=slynux@59.93.12.130) has joined channel #bmslug

<shyam_k> hi all:)

<prasad> hi all

<shyam_k> hi prasad :)

<t3rm1n4l> hi

<prasad> we are about to start

<shyam_k> good!  [08:33]

<shyam_k> thanks to praveen ji too!

*** prasad (n=prasad@121.245.56.255) has set the topic for #bmslug: "No

    Software Patents Bangalore Discussion

    http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Say_No_To_Software_Patents"

<shyam_k> can i say about this in #gnu or #fsf?! or do we expect some experts

  to participate?  [08:34]

<prasad> shyam_k,  ok

<prasad> shyam_k,  nagarjuna sir is suppose to join here now  [08:37]

<shyam_k> great!

<shyam_k> in the irc? or physically?!

<shyam_k> ;-)

<prasad> irc  [08:38]

<shyam_k> great! wonderful!  [08:39]

*** gn (n=nagarjun@sentry.hbcse.tifr.res.in) has joined channel #bmslug

<shyam_k> wow! hi gn :)

<gn> hi

<prasad> gn, hi we started  [08:40]

ERC> /query prasad  [08:41]

<gn> is the 27th meeting confirmed

<prasad> gn, venky is telling it is confirmed

<gn> now and then send me a summary of what you people are talking.  I will

    keep this session on  [08:42]

<prasad> gn, can you just brief us about the current situation?

<gn> to help people who file patent applications, indian patent office is

    writing a manual  [08:44]

<gn> its draft is what is being discussed

<gn> this draft is not only about software, but about how to file patents in

    general

<gn> the draft does say clearly that 'software per se is not patentable' as

    per the law.  [08:45]

<gn> however, the instructions given in the manual clearly tell people that

    you can file software patents in combination with hardware

<gn> what we have to do is to not let that interpretation go under 3(k).

        [08:46]

<gn> please see sectiion 4 for non-patentable items. and read the relevant

    sections.

<gn> previously the industry tried to change the law by a presidential

    ordinance but parliament rejected it.  [08:47]

<gn> that should be our argument.  how can the manual try to enable a

    possibility that law forbids.  [08:48]

<gn> and most important:

<gn> software does not work unless in combination with hardware.

<gn> therefore, if software in combination with hardware is patentable, then

    all software is patentable

<gn> that is obsurd.

<gn> this is the strongest argument to not make such statements in the manual

        [08:49]

<gn> and we should interpret such attempts as equivalent to backdoor entries

<gn> to abuse the law

<gn> does it make sense, or you want any elaboration

<prasad> gn, it is good  [08:52]

<shyam_k> and it seems some patents have already filed stating the software

  works differently with different size of ram etc.. and i read in

  businessline in a news about providing free internet through

  kiosk,that the system including the software are patented.. it seems

  the news is this

  http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/05/07/stories/2008050751862300.htm

  but i am not sure..  [08:53]

<gn> patents are filed, and I do not think they are granted.  [08:54]

<shyam_k> ah yes..

<gn> we need to be vigilant and object

<gn> however, currently our focus should not be diffused

<gn> concentrate on the elaborations and help statements written under 3(k),

    and ensure that they say clearly that software in combination with

    hardware is not patentable  [08:55]

<gn> those industries who are pushing this through backdoor must be informed

    that:

<shyam_k> is that draft available online?

<gn> 1. software is already protected under IPR under copyright, and no

    additional protection either to individuals or industries is required

        [08:56]

<gn> 2. hardware innovations are already patentable under the regular

<gn> therefore all innovators are already covered

<gn> 3. the current ICt revolutioin happened is a fact on the face that we do

    not need any more encouragement to the innovators  [08:57]

<gn> and keep science and technology under public domain.

<gn> yes the draft is available on the patent office site  [08:58]

<gn> If you cannot find it, I can mail it to you

<prasad> shyam_k,  it is listed in FCI page

<shyam_k> oh ok..  [08:59]

<gn> read james message now, and one of you head to doordarshan's office today

    if possible

*** jinsbond007 (n=jinsbond@proxy.iiit.ac.in) has joined channel #bmslug

        [09:00]

<prasad> gn, What is it about? [09:06]

*** no_mind (i=7aa3fb59@gateway/web/ajax/mibbit.com/x-fb49253c3928cf21) has

    joined channel #bmslug [09:11]

<no_mind> hello [09:12]

<no_mind> ok discuss patents [09:19]

*** g1 (n=nagarjun@sentry.hbcse.tifr.res.in) has joined channel #bmslug

    (Connection timed out) [09:21]

<prasad> g1, software is  not worn out [09:23]

<prasad> g1, how is it an argument against software patents?

<prasad> g1, it was in Lawrence's document  [09:24]

*** coolbhavi (n=bhavi@59.92.135.133) has joined channel #bmslug  [09:35]

<coolbhavi> when does meet start?

<shyam_k> coolbhavi: it has started.. with nagarjuna sir briefing the

  situation.. i can pm the logs if you want.. [09:36]

<coolbhavi> shyam_k, isnt it over irc? [09:37]

<shyam_k> its primarily offline at bms college..

<coolbhavi> shyam_k, Ok! i just returned home from college.. I dint have a

    look at the auditorium ...:)  [09:38]

<shyam_k> !:)

<coolbhavi> shyam_k, are you from BMS? [09:40]

<coolbhavi> Bangalore  [09:41]

<shyam_k> coolbhavi: no

<coolbhavi> I am a student of that college no_mind  [09:42]

<prasad> coolbhavi, PG block

<coolbhavi> prasad, PG block which floor [09:43]

<prasad> first floor vishweshwarayya hall  [09:44]

<coolbhavi> ok! dept of environmental engineering got it! [09:45]

<prasad> we will summarise it and update on the wiki [09:48]

<prasad> http://fci.wikia.com/wiki/Say_No_To_Software_Patents

*** prasad (n=prasad@121.245.56.255) has quit: "Leaving"

<shyam_k> ah now anyone here from bms? i have the answer for prasad.. [09:55]

<shyam_k> Software doesn't wear out: In other industries, research continues

<shyam_k> further research costs too much to be feasible. At this stage, the

<shyam_k> consists of replacing parts that have worn out.

<shyam_k>        However, in the software sector, a computer program that is

<shyam_k> perform its function forever without requiring maintenance or

  modification. “What this

<shyam_k> means is that unlike socks that wear out, and breakfast cereal that

<shyam_k> software product can be sold to a particular customer at most

<shyam_k> that customer again, it must be enhanced with new features and

  functionality.” This

<shyam_k> inevitably means that even if the industry were to approach

<shyam_k> company that does not produce new and innovative products will

<shyam_k> customers! Thus, the industry will remain innovative whether or not

<shyam_k> exist.

<shyam_k>  

<shyam_k> ops sorry for flooding..!:(  [09:56]

<karunakar> patent in this case would imply - let me patent it so that no one

    else can do similar enhancement, to sell more!  [09:58]

<coolbhavi> shyam_k, no problems its a small channel

        [09:59]

<shyam_k> anivar ji just called me.. and he said that the meeting is over

  adding the irc log too.. [10:00]

        [10:11]

*** g1 (n=nagarjun@sentry.hbcse.tifr.res.in) has quit: Read error: 110

    (Connection timed out) [10:14]

*** hoxu (i=i@unaffiliated/hoxu) has joined channel #bmslug [10:21]

ERC>  

</pre>