patented algorithms

A detailed Summary of patented algorithms

Software consists of lists of instructions that a computer reads and

executes. The tasks done by a computer are largely repetitive; the same

chunks of instructions are executed many times. Each chunk performs one

specific task and goes by the label algorithm, a method for accomplishing a

specific task. In the United States, it is possible to obtain a patent for

a software algorithm. One example of a patented software algorithm is the

LZW software algorithm. The LZW patent is owned by Unisys. The algorithm

is commonly used to compress an image file into a format know as the

Graphics Interchange Format (gif). Patent law was created to protect the

rights of the inventor and to encourage innovation. The thinking was that

an inventor would be more inclined to reveal his invention to the public if

he knew that a rival would not steal his design and undercut the original

inventor's business. By encouraging inventors to share inventions with all,

patent law tries to improve society. Patent law, however, is far from

perfect; particularly in the area of software patents it has failed

miserably to create innovation or to improve society. Like the prophecy of

the witches in Macbeth, things are not always as they

only patented algorithm, gives a concrete example of the failure of the

instructions which, upon execution by a computer, perform a specific task.

Patent law remains incredibly flawed and does not belong in the software

contributed to disunity. By forcing Free Software to start from scratch

instructions in an algorithm need not be executed by a computer. A computer

benefit goals of the patent law. Specifically, a movement in the software

Approximate Word count = 945
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Technology

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