Using modified TAM to examine the software engineers’ attitude on computer software patents

The nature of patent institution is to protect the inventors and accelerate the speed of innovation. It is likely to the patent of computer software. But the opinion voiced by exponents of open source is extremely opposed to patenting computer software. It is interest to the software engineers whether agree computer software patent or not. This study employs a modified technology acceptance model (TAM) to explore the perception and behavior of software engineers, and examines the relationship between perception and management behavior about patent. The findings of this study are two: 1. Most of the relations of this research model are positively significant; 2. The scales of firm and number of patents owned by firms have a significantly different effect from the above constructs. Finally, this study provides two suggestions for future study.