開放原始碼運動為軟體產業開創新的創作模式，在開放原始碼模式下的軟體持續增加，累積的成果有目共睹。但開放原始碼日益普及的背後並非沒有任何隱憂，其中智慧財產權方面的法律議題正關係著開放原始碼未來的發展。從開放原始碼相關的風險及觀察近年來智慧財產權制度的演變，有識之士指出未來軟體專利可能成為開放原始碼模式最大的挑戰，而值得加以研究。本文從探討過去各方對專利制度批評與建議的過程中，受開放原始碼模式的啟發而提出創設「公益專利」的想法，希望藉由運作機制的勾勒及相關利弊的初步分析，能為開放原始碼軟體營造一個更健全的制度環境，同時也有機會為專利制度的改革提供一個新的思考面向。

The open source movement presents the world a new software development model. Its continuing success can be attested by the exponential growth of software projects under its wings. Pitfalls and challenges loom ahead, however. Intellectual property-related legal issues, in particular, deserve our special attention for their disrupting potential. Among various risks associated with opensource movement, the threat posed by software patents stands out and echoes the concerns by many open source pundits. After reviewing other proposed solutions so far, the author would like advance a new one—the “public patent” mechanism inspired by the movement itself, in the hope to strengthen the longterm viability of the open source movement, and add more fuel to the big debate of patent system reform.

開放原始碼;軟體專利

open source; software patent