There is an absolutely brilliant animation, obviously done by somebody in Europe, on software patents. With the exception of the (gasp!) photographic representation of Richard Stallman (of the FSF, with whom I generally do not share views).

But, the point is still valid that software patents are (in their current incarnation) dangerous to innovation in the computer community. As they stand, they provide an excellent opportunity for larger organizations to band together and limit innovation from upstarts, which is certainly not what the founding fathers of this country were thinking when they codified patents in the constitution.