Positive or negative? Patent institution impact on the knowledge creation of computer software

Knowledge exists in many different types and patterns in our world, intellectual property is one of the carriers of knowledge, and the patent is the most useful document of the intellectual property. From the beginning, the nature of the patent institution is to accelerate the speed of innovation and invention; it should be true for the patents of computer software as well. But another voiced by advocates of open source and free software (OSS) is extremely opposed to patenting computer software. They are concerned that the software patent acts as a barrier to technology improvement. This study discussed the role of patents in the formulation and creation of computer software knowledge, and in what direction the patent institution affects computer software R&D. This study interviewed three software engineers to discuss the software patent´s issue and proposed four propositions. Finally, this study concludes two suggestions and future study recommendations.