Demand for Software Patents?

[ttu_soko]

Hello,

I wanted to get a feel as to if there is a demand for obtaining software patents among independent developers. If you are a developer would you want to get patents on your developed software? or just hope that copyright protection would protect your software? (which in most cases doesnt, b/c software is "functional")

Thanks,
Sam

 

[obvio]

What is the cost involved with obtaining a patent?

 

[ttu_soko]

It could range anywhere form $10K-$20K to get an issued patent. But my question is, are more independent developers for the "open source movement" or do they want to protect their programs?