RE: [PHP4BETA] Professional PHP by Schumann

KV>> >>opposition to the ideals of the OpenSource movement. KV>> KV>> > How are they in complete direct opposition to these ideals? KV>> KV>> They are trying to use software patent (on pretty simple thing KV>> BTW) to stop competitors from doing some things. Just imagine - KV>> what such precedents can Well, there's a number of points that you seem to miss: 1. Patents as such have nothing against Open Source. Moreover, proper application of patents can encourage opensourcing products - since your ideas are protected by patent, you can open your source and have no fear that some Large American Inc. would steal your work. In the ideal world, I mean. 2. American patent system in fact *forces* everyone having patent to agressively attack any suspected target - or the patent is invalidated as "not defended". 3. B&N is no better than Amazon - they just finished second in the run. Moreover, B&N waited for Amazon to create and establish the market of electronic books selling and then enter there with all their gorilla-weight of largest (AFAIK) offline booksellers, basically copying Amazon's business. I have no real santiment for them. 4. Moreover, I have no slightest doubt that B&N would do the same to Amazon on the first opportunity - current patent system in US *forces* such behaviour, as I said. You can patent basically *anything*, and USPO leaves deciding validity of the patent (their direct job, as I see it) to the court. KV>> They are breaking knot on which they are sitting, that's right. Why proprietary half-working Netscape software is the "knot where they are sitting"? Sane businessman uses the thing that works, not the thing that has "Industry best" sticker. Open source or not - it's secondary for them. KV>> Wait summons to court on process about violation of some stupid KV>> patent in PHP then. Perhaps you'll change your mind then. It'll KV>> be to later to do then I afraid though. Well, I see your point but I don't see how boycotting Amazon for what is to me an unevitable defensive behaviour can help. -- Stanislav Malyshev stas@zend.com +972-3-6139665