M understanding too is that patents only apply to physical goods, so software manufacturers effectively have to describe their software as if it were a piece of hardcoded electronics, no? Or is that no longer the case? And business process patents? I have no idea how that works. I'm much more understanding of someone trying to copyright their code, but then, of course, that wouldn't prevent anyone from making a similar and competing product. Between patents, EULAs and other shrinkwrap licenses redefining 'ownership', defining anything in RAM as a copy, and other legal hinkiness the industry is a real mess in ways. You shouldn't require more lawyers than programmers. I'm certainly not against the right of a software developer to turn hard effort into real income. The amazing thing is how ideas developed in the software world are now trickling into other arenas, like the RIAA trying to redefine music purchasing into music licensing; something that would have been phenomenally absurd even 30 years ago.