In 1990, the Supreme Court ruled that software was, indeed, patentable, but only in the context of some mechanical entity, whether it be a steel plant, a computer system or even (unbelievably) a CD-ROM disc.

FORBES: The Big Fix #3: How To Untangle The Mess With Software Patents

The prototype system is run by a set of computer codes, rather than plant personnel.

CNN: Today/Tomorrow - Helping nuclear plants keep their cool

In January 2003 the Microsoft SQL Server worm, known as Slammer, infected a private computer network at David-Besse nuclear power plant in Oak Harbor, Ohio, disabling a safety monitoring system for nearly five hours, says the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

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