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From: us269574@mmm.serc.3m.com (Darryn J. Kozak)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x
Subject: Re:  AT&T Claims patent on part of MIT's X11 server.
Message-ID: <1991Feb26.150830.20029@mmm.serc.3m.com>
Date: 26 Feb 91 15:08:30 GMT
References: <9102231551.AA01386@lightning.McRCIM.McGill.EDU>
Organization: 3M - St. Paul, MN  55144-1000 US
Lines: 34

From article <9102231551.AA01386@lightning.McRCIM.McGill.EDU>, by mouse@lightning.mcrcim.mcgill.EDU:
>> 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,
> 
> Or at least so AT&T is reported to be claiming.
.
.
.
> 
> (Really.  Trying to patent backing-store.  Well, that finally puts paid
> to any thoughts I might have had about buying *anything* from AT&T.)
> 
> 					der Mouse
> 
> 			old: mcgill-vision!mouse
> 			new: mouse@larry.mcrcim.mcgill.edu

I suspect not only are they trying to patent, but that they actually did!
If they were the first - hurray for them. If someone else was using backing
store before them and they can prove it, no one has anything to worry about
(probably). But if AT&T invented it - shouldn't they get the credit?


        Darryn Kozak

        3M Center
        260-4A-08
        St. Paul, MN 55144

        phone:          612-733-3271
        email:          us269574@mmm.3m.com or kozak@umn-cs.edu
        FAX:            612-737-3213