While at it's core, computer code is logic and maths, the high-level most programmers work with is definately not. Also, many of the concepts are far more abstract than that.

I believe the problem at it's heart is the American patent laws, not the patents themselves.

In other countries, if you can establish that you did not use the patent as the source for your idea, you are not liable to pay for it.

Also, if a patent is classified as too broad or vague, it cannot be enforced.

Unfortunately American patent law greatly favours the company that registered the patent and doesn't look at the details.

Go on Paul. Sue me. I might lose. In the meantime happy new year.

It's a trick question. Everyone knows they're all too busy suing each other to screw in light bulbs.

If this even goes forward, Xerox should immediately sue Microsoft and Apple for stealing their technology and demand immediate payment of royalties dating back to the original Windows and Mac OS.

Yeah, that'll happen

Recently I patented a thing, that does a thing with another thing. Can I have some money now please? Corporate cannibalism will destroy the West.

What a dick.

"a browser for use in navigating a body of information, with particular application to browsing information represented by audiovisual data,"

That "patent" right there should be on the poster for patent law reform.

I would love to punch Allen right in his f'ed up horse teeth.

"It's all logic and maths, and insights in those fields aren't invented, they're just discovered."

This matter is not that simple. It's been discussed by mathematicians and philosophers for more than two thousand years. It will be a funny day when a judge slam the hammer and settle this for good.

Although I don't condone software patents, it's inarguably that some of these "discoveries" were only made possible through millions of dollars in research and development. (I'm not talking necessarily about Allen's patents)

Software should be patentable but it should expire quickly, one or two years max, pretty much killing licensing deals. Of course, source code is another matter.