no, the application would be the actual app. i would comply with copyright law if i simply wrote another app, whereas i will still violate the patent.

the problem i have with algorithmic parents is that computer algorithms trend tend to be quite composable. other patents in other field aren't, e.g. pharma parents. when one algorithm could be such fundamental to a large amount of different apps, a patent on it gives the patent holder way to much than they deserve.

I know the law, but I'm saying that we already have protection for expression on an algorithm -- i don't think we need to patent an app that is simply an implementation of an algorithm.