Because it is impossible to know what patent applications are in the application pipeline, it is entirely possible, even likely, to develop software which incorporates features that are the subject of another firm's patent application. Thus, there is no avoiding the risk of inadvertently finding oneself being accused of a patent infringement simply because no information was publicly available at the time which could have offered guidance of what to avoid. Please, require publication of patent application within a short period of their filing. My recommendation would be to consider substantially shortening the length of protection. Most importantly, it is my heartfelt belief that many of the increasing number of recently issued software patents, concerning, for instance, fundamental techniques and artifacts of user interfaces, should never have been granted in the first place because of their failure to qualify as either novel or non-obvious.
Some patents appear to preempt automation of common functions such as footnoting.
This to me is like allowing a patent on the round steering wheel. If I speak very bluntly here, it is only because I am deeply concerned that a single bad patent court fight with a negative outcome, like a major environmental accident, could have catastrophic effects. I don't think we can afford the risk. I think it's vital for people here to appreciate that software design, development and innovation aren't just abstract concepts but professions practiced by a community of people. These people are constantly talking, exchanging ideas, discussing hypotheticals and exploring new ways to represent their thoughts.