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ARTICLE · 15 MAY 2000

Why Should I Patent My Software?

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By Kent Ledwell , [email protected]

Published 1/1/00

Whether or not you choose to protect your software with patents, is a business decision: benefits must justify the costs. It is generally known that a patent may be used to prevent others from copying a product that you bring to market, but the degree of protection and other benefits go much further than that. These additional benefits must also be considered as part of the cost-benefit calculation.

Keep in mind that while you are deciding whether to pursue patent protection, others have already decided and are beginning to paper the industry with patents. It is estimated that 15,000 software patents were granted in 1998 in the United States, and that number is growing every year!

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