Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!apple!motcsd!lance
From: lance@motcsd.csd.mot.com (lance.norskog)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x
Subject: Re: Viola Release, UNIX/X HyperCard-like system
Message-ID: <3828@motcsd.csd.mot.com>
Date: 2 May 91 00:19:48 GMT
References: <9104231058.AA27453@scam.Berkeley.EDU>
Organization: Motorola CSD, Cupertino CA
Lines: 18

Paul Heckel has a patent on the card user interface for hypertext
systems.  He has defended it succesfully against Apple, and is
going after IBM.

Does Viola infringe on this patent?

Please note that patent infringement can occur not merely when a
device is sold, but also when it is used in-house.  Until this 
issue is cleared up, downloading and bringing up Viola may expose
your organization to a patent infringement lawsuit.

No, we're not going to start the software patent argument again.
We just went through it a month ago.  Please don't follow this
up with rants for or against software patents.  Please.  

Lance Norskog

You heard me the first time.  Don't even think about it.