Re:Let me get this straight... (Score 2)

I think the point of the XOR example is that some things shouldnt be patented on grounds of simplicity and nothing else.

something like, say, long division ... not necessarily obvious or natural until someone thinks of it. But patenting it wouldnt do the world any good at all. the purpose of patents is to 'promote progress' by rewarding investment in 'innovation' ... below some threshold of simplicity youre not promoting progress anymore.

After all, think about what patents do - youre forbidding other people from making use of certain methods/ideas. This is drastic.