I am taking a cs course dealing with ethics. There are two review questions that I'm having a bit of difficulty with. 1. Which of the following is patentable? a. A computer program b. A new program design c. A software process for duplicating I/O (like RAID) d. A new case for a hard drive 2. Which of the following can be copyrighted? a. An idea for a new kind of computer b. A new way to make computers c. A new operating system d. A new way to solve problems Taking a guess... Number 1: I would think a, b, and d would all be correct answers. The only reason C would be wrong is because there already is a patent for that (apparently my teacher has that patent). Number 2:I think the only answer would be c, since you can't copyright an idea. Yes? No? Thank you.

So, you're asking us to give you the answers for your ethics homework assignment?
Am I the only one who sees an irony here?

If you are lucky one of the lawyers who sometimes post here may come along and comment on your answers. For my part I think you are right on Q2 but wrong on Q1.
Q2 Patents are for inventions (a method or process for doing something). Only C is a process and so only that is patentable (as shown by the fact that it has been patented). - I would think it is safe to ignore the fact that it is already patented when answering but that may be a trick. Depends how ethical your teacher is ;)

Quote: So, you're asking us to give you the answers for your ethics homework assignment?
Am I the only one who sees an irony here?

Homework? Please, it's a pass/fail 101 class. No homework.

Thank you obscure :)

[Edited by - theMadHatter on November 29, 2008 9:17:16 AM]