Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!att!news.cs.indiana.edu!samsung!munnari.oz.au!comp.vuw.ac.nz!actrix!Bruce.Hoult From: Bruce.Hoult@bbs.actrix.gen.nz Newsgroups: comp.lang.c++ Subject: Re: comp.lang.c++, rms, and software patents Message-ID: <1990Dec15.161944.19970@actrix.gen.nz> Date: 15 Dec 90 16:19:44 GMT References: Sender: Bruce.Hoult@actrix.gen.nz (Bruce Hoult) Distribution: comp Organization: Actrix Information Exchange, Wellington, New Zealand Lines: 15 Comment-To: burley@pogo.ai.mit.edu As a matter of interest: to whom was this patent awarded? Also, it seems to me that you've got things a little backwards. If someone sells you a knick-knack that uses a patented method (say: a non-jarring, zero effort hammer), then it is the manufacturer of the hammer that can be sued by the patent holder, not you as the customer, and certainly not someone who's house you built using the hammer. If I am correct in this then it is only the compiler vendor who is potentially liable, for including the offending technique (include files) in their product. Actually using the product is probably risk-free. -- Bruce.Hoult@bbs.actrix.gen.nz Twisted pair: +64 4 772 116 BIX: brucehoult Last Resort: PO Box 4145 Wellington, NZ