What Do You Think? Should Software Patents Be Abolished?

Those of you who are familiar with the radio show This American Life from Chicago Public Media probably know how great the show's host Ira Glass is at satirizing complex bureaucracy.

In one of the most recent episodes of the radio program -- When Patents Attack! -- This American Life exposes the practice of software patent trolling as an engine of greed rather than innovation. In fact, the show makes the argument that the idea of patenting software and patent trolling actually stifles innovation when compared to the original intent of the patent system.

While the show is embedded below for your listening pleasure (or outrage!), we at BYTE were hoping to hear your thoughts on patenting software, patent trolling, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Have patents gone to the dark side? Are they stifling innovation and destroying the American dream? Should they be abolished altogether?

Join the conversation by using the comments section below to let us and your fellow BYTE audience members know where you stand on modern day patents.