patented algorithms
Software consists of lists of instructions that a computer reads andexecutes. 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
Some common words found in the essay are:
Macbeth Software, Free Software, Unisys LZW, , Interchange Format, patent law, free software, software algorithm, software patents, patented algorithm, specific task, goals patent law, lzw algorithm, software form, unisys lzw, algorithm patent, software algorithm lzw,
Approximate Word count = 945
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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