Since then, lower courts have opened the door further, allowing patents for computer systems and software in which the algorithm constitutes most of the claim.

Most countries do not allow such wide-ranging patents.

Do I think the law should allow patents like this?

Whoever is allowing stupid patents should be fired.

Mr. Gates wrote his 1991 memo shortly after the courts began allowing patents on software in the 1980s.

Justice Scalia wanted to know if Jakes would have allowed patents on "the best way to train horses" during the 19th century.

If you are going to allow patents on the processes used by machines to accomplish work, it is hard to an argument that excludes computers.

But many countries do not allow patents on plants and animals of any kind and view natural products as discoveries, not inventions.

Allowing such patents, which critics see as unethical, is expected to accelerate the development of such so-called transgenic animals.

This has allowed certain innovations and certain patents of software programs.