[concerndc1tizen]

I wonder if the massive amount of open source software can now be used as elaborate 'prior art' in a way that basically invalidates any software patent that is awarded after the source had been made available?

I.e. if any algorithm was already implemented, in some variation, then the patent is not valid?

For example, for the infamous Amazon 'one click purchase', if a similar pattern was used, maybe a 'one click start vacuum cleaner robot', would it that patent then be invalid?

[rvnx]

Depends how much money you have.

For example, Tesla just patented the Robotaxi one year ago, despite having open-source solutions like Apollo Self-Driving platform.

Patents are really an obsolete system that favors the super-rich and the lawyers.

[HPsquared]

I'd be surprised if they patented the general concept of a robotaxi. Almost certainly, it'd be one specific type they they could say they invented.