Given all the discussions, I'm not sure whether this should be here or
elsewhere, but ... imho ...
I now think any patent should be a "how to make X" type document,
where X has to be a physical object. It should NOT be possible to directly
patent an object, although I think it is inevitable that objects will be
patented as a side effect.
So, for example, the Bessemer process would be patentable as a method for making
steel. The steel would not be patented, but the steel mill might be patented as
a side effect, and steel might be closed off if you couldn't find an alternative
way of making it.
Likewise with the sword - if you patent "how to make a sword", it will
drive to people to find alternative ways (the intent of the patent system), but
in the absence of an alternative method then other people would have to licence
the method or go without.
Cheers,
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