How do you feel about Software Patents?

I am not dead set against software patents, although I've been on both sides of the issue.

I am the proud inventor listed on 3 or 4 patents. Some are more worthy in my opinion that others. I was also leading a development team that had to stand on its head to avoid conflicting with a patent that everyone agreed should never have issued, but we didn't have the nerve or resources to contest.

So I was interested to see some behind the veil of "Intellectual Ventures", Nathan Myhrvold's IP/Patent company:

"…But IV is not buying inventions. It's buying patents. And most software engineers will tell you, at least when it comes to software, a patent and an invention are not the same. Lots of patents cover things that people who write software for a living wouldn't consider inventions at all… (fromWhen Patents Attack)