[thfuran]

>Yes. Further steps have been done. Its the difference between copywriting the idea for a book, and copywriting an actual book.

Only if by "idea for a book" you mean "comprehensive description sufficient to exactly reproduce the book".

>It's an issue with the current incarnation of software patents.

No, it's an issue with the patent office's current process for approving patents.

>In the real world an IC car can rightfully be criticised for being bad for the environment.

Yes, but that doesn't mean a car is worse than a truck.

[benj111]

>No, it's an issue with the patent office's current process for approving patents

Potato potahto.

>Yes, but that doesn't mean a car is worse than a truck.

Is the truck a metaphor for hardware patents?

That depends if the trucks actually do run on bio diesel and have a full carbon capture and particulate filter fitted.