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Mathematical algorithm exception? | 179 comments | Create New Account
Comments belong to whoever posts them. Please notify us of inappropriate comments.
Mathematical algorithm exception?
Authored by: PolR on Monday, March 18 2013 @ 09:40 AM EDT
Were mathematicians and computer scientists to come along and say “we regard an algorithm as being something else”, such an argument would be given short shrift by judges whose ears are closed to such arguments. See also sections B1 and B2.
This is why we have the whole section A.3 dedicated to explaining what mathematicians deem to be a mathematical procedure for solving problems called an algorithm. The whole point is to establish from mathematical literature which procedures fall within the limits of the term 'algorithm' set forth in Benson. The following sections A4 and A5 explain how these algorithms are related to computer programming and general purposes computers.
And it seems abundantly clear that the judges on the CCPA and their successors on the Federal Circuit who are inspired by them had and have nothing but contempt for the “confused” opinions of the Supreme Court in Benson and Flook. There is no way that they would have considered adopting the underlying principles of these cases, and accordingly construing broadly the language of precedents for which they feel nothing but contempt. And it is clear that Judge Rich and his associates put every effort into cabining and effectively negating the precedents in those despised opinions.
There is no need to construe the terms broadly. It is sufficient to construe the term algorithm according to its true sense in mathematics and computer science. I make no statement about the intent of the CCPA and Federal Circuit. But I observe the resulting case law about software patents is dysfunctional and detached from reality. It doesn't promote innovation and harm the economy because it makes it impossible for people and businesses to clear all rights to the goods and services they produce if they involve software.

[ Reply to This | Parent | # ]

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