This article appears in the June 2004 issue of Communications of the ACM.

Computing professionals have been complaining for years about "bad" software and Internet-related patents.

Now there's something they can do about it.

Do something!

Why Reform the US Patent System?

The RIAA said it had sued 493 more people over copyright infringement as part of its campaign to stop consumers from copying music over the Internet.

Not everyone can be a hero.

Lost online due to "Weapons of mass ligitation": 2,947
Cost: $3,000 each (I also would have accepted 'statistically indistinguishable from zero')

Lost in Iraq due to "Weapons of mass destruction": ~800
Cost: priceless (I also would have accepted '$12,000' -- see death gratuity)

I realize innumeracy is rampant, but please do not confuse "priceless" with "statistically indistinguishable from zero." Thank you.

Sharing the Pain, in a Grayer Time