"Software patents" are a gross lie. Computer programs are not patentable, under TRIPs, and in several jurisdictions including India, UK, several Latin American nations, this is made very clear under their municipal laws. US is a signatory to TRIPs and Computer programs could be protected only as literary works, But in the US, those with vested interests have continued to abuse patent law to make ridiculous, illegal and unlawful claims. Finally, the time to call the bluff of the "Software patent" crowd may be very near: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/05/28/100033867/...