At 22:06 5/6/99 -0500, Jeff Woods wrote:
>It's my understanding that copyrights apply to software and patents apply to
>algorithms.  The difference in that an algorithm is an idea.  Software is the
>expression of algorithms.  There are generally many ways to code software to
>express algorithms; just as there are many ways to express in English a
>philosophical idea.  Specific expressions are subject to copyright and ideas
>can (under certain circumstances) be patented.

A patent attorney of my acquaintenance, who works for General Motors, is
heavily invoived in patent applications for devices with embedded software.
 I'll have to talk with him further on this issue.


Tom Brandt                            Northtech Systems, Inc.
+1 734-769-5040                     3588 Plymouth Road, Suite 292
+1 734-769-5498 (FAX)            Ann Arbor, MI 48105