> if we abolish the
> software patent system, I don't see what economic motivation there is
> for developing free software.

The libertarian answer is short and sweet:  "The market will find
a way."

You can have a great deal of faith in the ability of a free market 
to serve both producers and consumers efficiently.  If people have 
money to spend on a product or service, a free market *will* find 
a way to provide it.  

But a market encumbered by government regulation (like patents) 
might not!

-- 
Sean Shapira        sds@jazzie.com        (206) 443-2028