Intellectual property and the process of invention: why software is different

IEEE 2002 International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS'02). Social Implications of Information and Communication Technology. Proceedings (Cat. No.02CH37293) Pub Date : 2002-08-07 DOI:10.1109/ISTAS.2002.1013821

R. Plotkin

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引用次数: 3

Abstract

Software differs from other electromechanical technologies because of the unique process by which software programs are invented In particular, software developers create novel executable software programs, which are components of a computer, by conceiving of and specifying such programs solely in terms of their function. Software developers, therefore, engage in functional, but not structural, design. Patent law, however, assumes that an inventor must engage in structural design to invent a new electromechanical machine, and therefore requires electromechanical inventors to conceive Of describe, and claim their inventions in terms of their physical structure. This chasm between patent law's assumptions and the reality of software development has the potential to result in an unwarranted expansion of software patent claim scope. Modifications to patent law are recommended which reflect the unique manner in which software programs are invented.

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知识产权和发明过程:为什么软件是不同的

软件不同于其他机电技术，因为软件程序的发明有其独特的过程。特别是，软件开发人员创造出新颖的可执行软件程序，这些程序是计算机的组成部分，他们只根据这些程序的功能来构思和指定这些程序。因此，软件开发人员从事的是功能设计，而不是结构设计。然而，专利法假设发明人必须从事结构设计才能发明新的机电机械，因此要求机电发明人从其物理结构的角度来构思、描述和要求他们的发明。专利法的假设和软件开发的现实之间的这种鸿沟有可能导致软件专利要求范围的无端扩展。建议修改专利法，以反映软件程序发明的独特方式。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

IEEE 2002 International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS'02). Social Implications of Information and Communication Technology. Proceedings (Cat. No.02CH37293)

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