Folks who started their own companies, or own projects. Do you think it is worthwhile to file for patents? (this is independent from the contentious question of if software patents should even be allowed). But in general, do you find it worthwhile to spend the money to patent aspects of your site, or do you not even attempt it?
Little late to answer this question, but noticed it after your zip code post. I've had a software company for 10 years. Never filed for patents. My thought process was a) it can get really expensive and be a drain on your time; b) software companies relying on patents to stay competitive always seems desperate (e.g., SCO with Unix and Blackboard with role based administration). One of our lawyers advised us to copy write code to protect against people, who may have access to the source, stealing our work and opening up a competing service. That's about as far as I would go.
- Chip Ramsey