This falls into a number of larger discussions. Obviously there’s an ongoing conversation about the gatekeeping role of search engines. But there’s also a discussion about whether software and business models should be patented. James Gleick’s article, “Patently Absurd” is a great introduction to the latter debate. It’s getting a bit dated in digital—if not absolute—terms but it’s still great writing. An oldie, but a goody. And while I’m thinking of it, John Seabrook’s 1993 New Yorker article, “Flash of Genius” is another classic popular piece on controversies surrounding the patent system.
