Xref: utzoo gnu.misc.discuss:3236 comp.misc:12692 comp.dcom.modems:9995 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!bonnie.concordia.ca!uunet!bu.edu!ai-lab!life.ai.mit.edu!petrilli From: petrilli@geech.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Chris Petrilli) Newsgroups: gnu.misc.discuss,comp.misc,comp.dcom.modems Subject: Re: hayes lawsuit Message-ID: Date: 25 May 91 03:58:03 GMT References: <4990@orbit.cts.com> Sender: news@ai.mit.edu Organization: The Free Software Foundation Lines: 33 In-reply-to: kurt@pnet51.orb.mn.org's message of 24 May 91 14:05:01 GMT Kurt Sletterdahl writes: I checked with the SYSOP of the MultiTech support BBS the other day, and they have not as yet settled with Hayes. A Hayes press release states that most members of the Modem Patent Defense Group settled with them prior to the San Francisco trial. This turned out to be a prudent move on their part. :-) How is this prudent? I am assuming they decided to pay Hayes, or am I compeltely wrong in what settling is? (this is sarcasm) If they have indeed settled, and MultiTech does also, then something is wrong. The Hayes lawsuit can never stand. As I recall, copyrights, trademarks, and patents will all be invalidated if undefended. The Hayes 'standard' has been around for about 10 years, which is much longer than necessary to invalidate a patent/trademark/copyright. Also, I destinctively remember Hayes encouraging people to use their command set. They were like IBM, they knew taht alone they couldn't survive. In my opinion, this suit is due to ONE reason. Hayes is falling down and knows they aren't even near competitive anymore. They decided that since they can't make money selling modems for outrageous prices, tehy would try and survive by suing. This is a classic example of what is wrong with American business, and why this country will fall to Japan or the EC if it doesn't change soon. Chris -- | Chris Petrilli | petrilli@gnu.ai.mit.edu | I don't even speak for myself.