Yes.

They allow abusive entities such as the Free Software Foundation to go after Cisco. If only the software was distributed without cumbersome GLP and LGPL licensing restrictions, and was truly free like software wants to be, then Cisco wouldn't have been forced to violate the licenses.

For shame.

Just because you can split the atom of a molecule doesn't mean you can lead the nation with a microphone.

You do realize you can file whatever you want with the PTO and, as long as it meets basic filing requirements and you send them your money, it will publish, right?

You do also realize that the mere publication has no legal effect unless the application subsequently issues as a patent, right?

I suppose (in the US) you could reject under 112, first paragraph. I wouldn't know, since I don't write claims that sloppily.

Not to mention the poster's ignorance of Bilski is showing. This looks nothing like a pure business method patent application, and would easily survive the machine-or-transformation test.

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, just because many Slashdotters have engineering backgrounds doesn't immediately give them tremendous insight into everything. This should be evident from the fact that patent attorneys have this same engineering/science background plus legal knowledge.

That's not to say this is a good patent application. It's crummy. But as parent said, there's plenty of that, and this application poses no threat.

We'll probably be too dumb to figure out where Belgium is and give up. /pandering

Besides, we have reputable citizens that are arrested abroad for far less insidious reasons. You don't need to lecture us; we know how it is.