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From: brnstnd@kramden.acf.nyu.edu (Dan Bernstein)
Newsgroups: comp.compression
Subject: Re: What exactly does a patent cover???
Message-ID: <15427.Jun2603.35.1391@kramden.acf.nyu.edu>
Date: 26 Jun 91 03:35:13 GMT
References: <9117710.2823@mulga.cs.mu.OZ.AU>
Organization: IR
Lines: 19

You should check any good textbook or introductory article on patents.

In article <9117710.2823@mulga.cs.mu.OZ.AU> slf@cs.mu.OZ.AU (Stewart Forster) writes:
> 	Let me take this idea a step further.  What if someone had patented
> the idea of putting a motor on a four wheeled carriage.  If this guy had his
> way, we would all still be driving his "idea" of what a "car" should be.

Patents only last 17 years.

> Patents are an ugly slug, especially when they inhibit experimental research.

If that's all you're worried about, stop worrying. Patents never apply
to use ``for the sole purpose of satisfying philosophical taste or
curiosity, or for instruction and amusement.'' If you're just playing
with a patented invention in your back yard trying to make it work
better, you're safe. Just don't try to sell it or give it to other
people to use.

---Dan