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From: battle@cs.utk.edu (David Battle)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x
Subject: AT&T *patent* (*not* copyright) on *concept* of backing store
Message-ID: <1991Jun14.003844.24520@cs.utk.edu>
Date: 14 Jun 91 00:38:44 GMT
Sender: usenet@cs.utk.edu (USENET News Poster)
Organization: University of Tennessee, Knoxville - CS Department
Lines: 22


So what is this about AT&T having a copyright on backing stores?
I only heard about it yesterday and was surprised to see that it had
not been mentioned here (at least as far back as my new system's back
issues).  All I know is that they definitely hold a patent (4,555,775)
which supposedly covers backings stores (one of the most obvious,
straight forward ways of refreshing windows, my girlfriend just invented
it without any coaching whatsoever even though she had never heard
of it).  I hear that companies distrubiting X are being threatened
with lawsuits by AT&T.  Rumor also has it that AT&T's basis for
this is some work done by Rob Pike.  If this is true, Rob, I'm very
embarrased for you.

I heard this from a somewhat biased source, so I would like to hear the
other side.  If this is even remotely close to the truth, however, I
think a boycott of AT&T is definitely in order.  Of course also a letter
to appropriate people in Washington urging them to hire competent patent
examiners before granting patents on computer algorithms.

Deeply concerned,
	-David L. Battle
	battle@cs.utk.edu