I fully agree with "Horse" there. I also think he should go to develop SW for free to the greater benefit of mankind.

Hey, if people appreciate his work I'm pretty sure they will willingly mail him some cash for expenses.

On a mroe serious note, patents are needed but also need a reweork and quite probably a far harsher time limit.

Also, in general concepts should not be constituted as a patent.

As my title suggests, the three major sectors [commerce, religion, government] of our global societies are stuck with this ongoing experiment.

The Labyrinth: The ever changing laws [patents], to curtail liberties.

The Cheese: Money, In limited amount, consolation prise for your efforts or see what happens when too much is given.

The Mouse: You, or any body else around.

The experiment is about to be over, ready your conclusion papers, sharpen your pencils, draw us the picture of reality then.

Ignore the Vole and SAP: they just want more junk patents to add to their "intellectual property" stockpile so that they can threaten the competition.

The best kind of rethink would involve the complete abolition of software patents so that people can get on with real innovation, not the kind of "innovation" which involves the European Patent Office and their lawyer chums thinking up a plan to squeeze more money out of everyone else every year.