Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!dgp.toronto.edu!mccool From: mccool@dgp.toronto.edu (Michael McCool) Newsgroups: comp.graphics Subject: Re: Pixar's patent on stochastic image generation Message-ID: <1990Oct31.112111.655@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu> Date: 31 Oct 90 16:21:11 GMT References: <67527@iuvax.cs.indiana.edu> <1990Oct29.203607.403@heitis1.uucp> <1456@proto.COM> Lines: 15 >The problem with patents is that you have to defend them against *every* >infringement or you could lose them. Unless you have very deep pockets, this >may be too burdensome for an individual -- whether you're talking hardware >*or* software. >Tony Nardo, INET: trn@warper.jhuapl.edu, trn@aplcen.apl.jhu.edu Well, true, but with a patent I have heard that the burden of proof is on the "infringer". Patents are assumed valid unless shown otherwise, since they have to be applied for and are evaluated at the time of application. It is much harder to defend, say, a copyright since you "get" it automatically upon "fixing" your creation in media. So you have to prove to originated the work when you try to defend it. Michael McCool@dgp.toronto.edu