Computer Ethics, Week 11

Class 11 Readings

April 6

Read the parts of Chapter 4 of Baase on Software Patents and  Chapter 5 on Crime.




Debates




Patents

What is the objection to software patents? Maybe primarily that they are too easily granted, and too easily enforced, and so can discourage investment in software development. Alternatively, maybe software is only marginally about inventions.

Start with Gottschalk v Benson

Examples of Software Patents

Antitrust