Xref: utzoo gnu.emacs.announce:19 comp.emacs:10157 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.ircc.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!unreplyable!garbage From: tower@AI.MIT.EDU (Leonard H. Tower Jr.) Newsgroups: gnu.emacs.announce,comp.emacs Subject: [jkh@meepmeep.pcs.com: AT&T Claims patent on part of MIT's X11 server.] Message-ID: <9102220510.AA14333@wheat-chex> Date: 22 Feb 91 05:10:09 GMT Sender: daemon@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu Reply-To: tower-prep@prep.ai.mit.edu Followup-To: gnu.emacs.announce Organization: Project GNU, Free Software Foundation, 675 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA +1 (617) 876-3296 Lines: 96 Approved: info-gnu-emacs@prep.ai.mit.edu [ 1) Please repost this in any other lists, local or netwide, where it would be relevant and helpful. 2) I wonder what prior art existed, and if it invalidates AT&T's patent. -len ] Return-Path: To: unido!gnu-announce Path: pcsbst!jkh From: jkh@meepmeep.pcs.com (Jordan K. Hubbard) Newsgroups: gnu.announce Subject: AT&T Claims patent on part of MIT's X11 server. Date: 20 Feb 91 14:38:26 GMT Organization: /usr1/ben/jkh/.organization I thought that this would be of general interest, to say the least.. The following letter has been sent by AT&T to all (to my knowledge) MIT X Consortium members, though its claims potentially affect *all* users of The X Window System, version 11 / revision 3 and above. To quote the letter directly (all misreferences to "X Windows" intentionally left in): < Dated February 7, 1991 > Dear : AT&T is aware that your company/institution is an active participant in the further development of the X Windows System. We assume that your company/institution is, or may well be, commercially marketing or internally developing products(s) which are based on an X Windows System implementation. Consequently, we bring to your attention an AT&T patent #4,555,775 invented by Robert C. Pike and issued on November 26, 1985. The "backing store" functionality available in the X Windows System is an implementation of this patented invention, therefore, your company/institution needs a license from AT&T for the use of this patent. We will be pleased to discuss licensing arrangements with the appropriate organization in your company/institution. To expedite these arrangements, your response should be directed to Ms. O. T. Franz at: AT&T 10 Independence Boulevard Room: LL2-3A28 Warren, New Jersey 07059-6799 Telephone: 908-580-5929 FAX: 908-580-6355 We look forward to resolving this matter in the near future. Very truly yours, A.E. Herron Manager, Intellectual Property Copy to: L. Bearson O.T. Franz R.E. Kerwin ---- So. What more can I say? You are, of course, free to direct your responses to those listed above.. :-) One also wonders about other window systems using "backing store" and the degree to which this patent will be enforced. Jordan -- PCS Computer Systeme GmbH, Munich, West Germany UUCP: pyramid!pcsbst!jkh jkh@meepmeep.pcs.com EUNET: unido!pcsbst!jkh ARPA: jkh@violet.berkeley.edu or hubbard@decwrl.dec.com Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com