Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!proto!joe From: joe@proto.COM (Joe Huffman) Newsgroups: comp.graphics Subject: Re: Pixar's patent on stochastic image generation Summary: Patents allow you to halt distribution. Message-ID: <1456@proto.COM> Date: 30 Oct 90 12:20:43 GMT References: <67527@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu> <1990Oct29.203607.403@heitis1.uucp> Organization: Prototronics; Sandpoint, Idaho Lines: 32 In article <1990Oct29.203607.403@heitis1.uucp>, news@heitis1.uucp (News Administrator) writes: > In article <1990Oct26.131122.2169@abcfd20.larc.nasa.gov> jcburt@ipsun.larc.nasa.gov (John Burton) writes: > > > >Hey, don't laugh...read the article in Nov 1990 issue of Dr. Dobbs Journal... > >The authors bring up an interesting patent infringement that X windows is > I just read the article. I don't understand what the real threat to X is. > It should be possible for MIT to continue to use backing store and the > exclusive-or cursor. Since they do not charge anyone for the sources, > the royalties should be minimal ;-). If the X system is distributed with A patent allow the holder to halt distribution of any type, free or otherwise. A patent is a legal monopoly. You can literal say that no one (within the domain of your patent) may possess, use, or sell the patented item. Even if the non-patent holder developed it first or independantly. Certain exemptions exist for safety critical items such as a navigational instrument that is normally used in a country not covered by the patent when that ship/plane/etc is brought into a country that does have the item patented. If it is not safety critical then the ship/plane/etc can be required to not use the item while in the country that has the item patented. Patents should not be allowed for software (IMHO). I have a patent (well actually a former employer owns it) for a hardware device and have considered applying for others (my own) for hardware. I think patents are probably a good thing for hardware but not software even though I do nothing but write software these days. -joe- -- joe@proto.com FAX: 208-263-8772