HIGH COURT DENIES COMPUTER PATENT FOR PROGRAMING
US Sup Ct, 6-0, on Nov 20 rules that computer programing consists basically of ideas and cannot be patented, ending dispute between hardware cos, led by IBM, and smaller providers of software; stops short of saying that every program for servicing computer should be denied patent as law now stands but urges that any move toward such protection should be studied and authorized by Cong; case before ct involved attempt by Bell Telephone Laboratories employes G R Benson and A C Tabbot to obtain patent on method of converting 1 kind of numerical code used by digital computers into another code; Justice Douglas, writing majority opinion, concedes that one may not patent an idea but in practical effect, that would be result if formula were patented in this case; observes that phenomena of nature, though just discovered, mental processes and abstract intellectual processes are not patentable as they are basic tools of scientific and technological work; formidable array of hardware mfrs filed extensive arguments, as friend of Ct, in opposition to granting particular patent at issue, contending such action would impede development of future tech; Assn of Data Processing Service Orgns, representing software cos, maintained that patents were needed to protect their indus; Dr S Ramo, vice chmn of TRW Inc, software co, comments on decision; Justices Stewart, Blackmun and Powell do not participate in decision; sec of diagram of patent application
