Z:gnu-www-ja-patent-practice-panel--a0e497-True, they may increase compet/en

True, they may increase competition in some ways, but the net-effect is anti-competitive. And that's what putting the ability to decide success in the software industry in the hands of the patent office or in hands of the courts does. If you need examples, if people think that's just rhetoric or your opinion, just point to the United States. Microsoft is a very successful software company, I don't think anyone would debate that. They've never had to sue anyone for patent infringement. So they claim they need patents, but yet they've never had to use them. They cross-license them and that's where we wonder, &lsquo;If you're worried about people copying, then why are you cross-licensing them to people?&rsquo;.