W0097

Government Funded Central Initiatives for Encouraging a Diversity of Freely Available Crystallographic Software; and the Treat of Crystallographic Software Patents. Lachlan M. D. Cranswick, School of Crystallography, Birkbeck Univ. of London, Malet St., London, WC1E 7HX UK.

One method of attempting to ensure a diversity of freely available crystallographic software is that of nationally funded initiatives. An example of this is that of the UK Government's EPSRC funded CCP14 project for Single Crystal and Powder Diffraction (1). Rather than develop it's own software (it does not have the resources for this), it encourages a framework for promoting and distributing existing software via the Internet. Development of software is also stimulated and encouraged by providing an interface via CCP14 staff to connect users and software authors; as well as allowing authors a good indication on what other algorithms and programs exist. As the CCP14 is web based, it also benefits non-UK users, and allows an international perspective in available software. This international outlook provides enhanced benefit to UK users/stakeholders over just relying on local UK resources.

One potential threat which could kill the availability and development of free (and commercial) crystallographic software is that of "Software Patents" (also titled "Computer-implemented Business Method Patents"). As "we cannot stand on the shoulders of giants if the giants wear spiked shoulder pads", the background to crystallographic software patents will be discussed (2,3).

2. "The Threat of Patents on Crystallographic Algorithms and Software", Vincent Favre-Nicolin, IUCr Commission on Crystallographic Computing Newsletter, Jan 2003, http://www.iucr.org/iucr-top/comm/ccom/newsletters/2003jan/