You make many valid arguments against this patent. In principle, I agree that software of any sort should not be patentable. When it comes down to it, all software is an algorithm of some sort. And mathematics, as we all know, are not patentable.

However, I do feel for Amazon. They have been trashed in this community because of this patent, wrongfully so in my opinion.

Mr. Bezos has a legitimate concern that Barnes and Noble were pixel-for-pixel, tic-for-tat ripping off his website. They would launch a new feature one day, and a week later it's live at Barnes and Noble. To this day, BN.com has relatively the same look and feel as Amazon.

It is evident that Amazon has some of the absolute best web developers in the industry. I would be hard-pressed to think of a website that were more functional, pleasing to look at and more thoroughly organized. That is to say nothing of the company itself of course, which has somewhat biased me w/ there near-perfect service.

I'm glad to see your apology in this matter however. I hope it helps, in anyway, lead an end to the Amazon bashing:)

- James Morton