From: sfam@cyberpunkreview.com   
      
   "Cyber Trekker"  wrote in message   
   news:zA%Cf.230206$V7.135107@news-server.bigpond.net.au...   
   > PerfectReign wrote:>> No, they're patenting the method by which the   
   > smilies are transmitted.   
   >   
   > The method is a natural outcome of the existence and nature of the   
   > Universe   
   > and life itself, therefore no human has a right to usurp the rights of any   
   > methodology from nature and life by claiming ownership (sole rights at   
   > that   
   > and total control), thereby denying others their legitimate use of the   
   > method or a similar method to fulfil their life - irrespective of the fact   
   > that the idea came through the claimants consciousness. For it to be   
   > otherwise is perverse, unnatural and unjust.   
   >   
   > Humans possess a weird sense of perspective on life and their concepts   
   > reflect that weirdness as well as wackiness. Hence my previous statement   
   > anent copyright, patents and IP.   
      
   Lemme get this straight - you think the big bang that created the universe   
   had the natural outcome of people (homo sapiens sapiens on one planet in one   
   solar system in one galaxy) using emoticons on cell phones???  I hope you   
   don't mean this.   
      
   While I do agree that the patent above is just silly, as this same behavior   
   is already in major use on other input devices, I think its probably a   
   stretch WAY too far to say this activity has been ordained by the existence   
   and nature of the universe and life itself.  Furthermore, I'd even go as far   
   to say that some corporations (and people) actually DESERVE their patents.   
   All these things aren't magically created.  They only exist for your   
   "natural right to use them" because people and organizations invested time,   
   dollars and energy into creating them.  If everything is free (no patents),   
   the incentive for creating wealth (cell phones, cell phone networks,   
   emoticons on cell phones, for instance) dissipates rapidly. I think you'd   
   find that this outcome infringes on your natural rights far more than having   
   to pay for stuff.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)