[AndyJPartridge]

I just don't get how this can be upheld.

It's OBVIOUSLY impossible for Johnny Coder to be aware of every patent that has been filed to date.

Copying someones overall design wholesale, I can understand. The "Look and Feel" copyright system is a much neater solution than all this patent nonsense.

[jcarreiro]

> It's OBVIOUSLY impossible for Johnny Coder to be aware of every patent

There is no requirement that you be aware of the patent to infringe upon it. In fact, awareness of the patent may entitle the patent holder to increased damages.

Disclaimer: I write software for a living. I'm not sure where I stand on the idea of software patents but I suspect they do more good than harm. I think that someone suing small, independent developers who made the mistake of using an Apple-provided API in an obvious way and who lack the financial means or legal expertise to defend themselves is reprehensible.

[rimantas]

  > I suspect they do more good than harm

I would like to see examples of software patents doing more good.

[cwp]

I would like to see examples of software patents doing any good at all.

[cheald]

There's uh...well, there's...no, wait, there's that one...well, balls.