Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!uunet!bionet!uamed.uam.es!JRAMON From: JRAMON@uamed.uam.es Newsgroups: bionet.software Subject: (none) Message-ID: <9103040826.AA07448@genbank.bio.net> Date: 3 Mar 91 16:10:00 GMT Sender: news@genbank.bio.net Lines: 115 I forward to the list the letter I mentioned yesterday about AT&T sending a letter requiring copyright licenses for the use of X-windows. I find it VERY interesting: just imagine what can happen if anyone had to pay thousands of licenses for THOUSANDS of small and specific patents used in a big software project *AND* -most important of all- that have been un-used for years while the package spreaded freely as a SUPPOSED public domain one :-(. BTW, I read recently in a Dr. Dobbs J. editorial that there is a patent for using a user-driven cursor drawn with bitwise XOR in the screen for pointing and selecting items. How many of us would have to pay (say 1 centave) if the holder took the same decision as AT&T? I begin wondering whether we all should begin patenting every little thing, letting evryone know and use it freely WITHOUT telling'em it is patented and, once it is popular and many people has made great investments and got greatly involved with it, telling them "Surprise!, now you've all got to pay >:-)". It's getting easier to become a millionaire! Let's all go for it! :-) ====================================================================== " 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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OK, I think this speaks for itself. What are we going to do now to preserve the freedom of thought in science? Should we pay fees to Maniatis for ALL the protocols? Should we pay fees for Lowry or Stain-all dying? Must I pay Pharmacia a fee every time I USE their electrophoresis devices? And one fee for each user? Any lawyer out there? J. R. Valverde Biomedical Research Institute Madrid - SPAIN "Si no hubiera barbaros, todos seriamos esclavos" (Liberto).