Current law treats software as just another invention. It is not. Software is a new kind of entity, with the ability to transform all other technologies, including the creative arts, politics, and economics. It therefore requires separate treatment. In less than two decades, software development has evolved from being a legally defenseless enterprise to one in which almost every innovation is a candidate for patent protection. This transition occurred with minimal fanfare and little industry awareness-except in the R&D departments of giant corporations, where most software patents were quietly being obtained. Because the software patent phenomenon is so recent, its long-term effects are still unknown. What is certain is that patents will play a pivotal role in shaping future software products and research. The paper discusses the essentials of patent law.