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Algorithms can be patented, at least in the US. For example the LZW compression used in the GIF image format.

JacquesB
– JacquesB

2016-07-25 21:28:29 +00:00
Commented Jul 25, 2016 at 21:28
"The kind of actors who would..." - this is irrelevant. Patented algorithms are public, so anybody could share a patented algorithm online, not just the owner of the patent. And it would still be illegal to copy it.

JacquesB
– JacquesB

2016-07-26 11:14:37 +00:00
Commented Jul 26, 2016 at 11:14
"[algorithms] cannot be patented in Europe" that's only correct in theory. In practice, algorithms can be patented in Europe, you just need to properly phrase the patent.

CodesInChaos
– CodesInChaos

2016-07-26 12:32:41 +00:00
Commented Jul 26, 2016 at 12:32

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```
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