Minecraft creator Notch labels software patents 'evil'

Minecraft mastermind Notch has launched a scathing attack on the very notion of software patents following news that he's to be sued.

The attack was prompted by the actions of Uniloc, a company that specialises in computer security and copy protection. Uniloc recently filed a lawsuit against the developer of DIY video game sensation Minecraft for patent infringement.

This prompted Mojang chief Notch to declare on Twitter: "Software patents are just plain evil." He then went on to explain that "innovation within software is basically free, and it's growing incredibly rapid. Patents only slow it down."

So strongly does Notch feel about this issue that he's vowed to "throw piles of money at making sure they don't get a cent". And believe us when we say those piles of money are pretty big. Minecraft - Pocket Edition alone has been downloaded over 2 million times.

Following his initial response on software patents, Notch took to his blog to elaborate on his feelings. He revealed that while he's all for protecting against copyright infringement for important and costly endeavours - such as in medicine - he considers software patents to be "trivial" and "counterproductive."

There's also the matter of ideas vs products. "There is no way in hell you can convince me that it's beneficial for society to not share ideas," Notch said. "Ideas are free. They improve on old things, make them better, and this results in all of society being better. Sharing ideas is how we improve."

His conclusion: "If you own a software patent, you should feel bad."

You have to hand it to Notch - the guy's got a way with words. We now feel bad, and we don't even own any software patents.