Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!pasteur!ucbvax!UCONNVM.BITNET!SEWALL From: SEWALL@UCONNVM.BITNET Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple Subject: Apple sues Message-ID: <8803301012.aa04105@SMOKE.BRL.ARPA> Date: 30 Mar 88 14:54:00 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Lines: 43 Steven Tessler writes: >The issue of "Look and Feel" being copyrightable has not been established >concretely. The Lotus suit against '123' clone 'VP Planner' by Paperback >Software is still in litigation. Actually, it's the Broderbond suit that's at issue here (the one Lotus used as a precedent). Little matter since it IS on appeal. The text of Apple's filing was posted. Perhaps it would be better to read it before running on about Xerox's prior work etc. Apple's specific complaint is that Windows violates a specific agreement by Microsoft regarding similarity of appearance with the Mac interface. I'm not a lawyer, but I did see Print Master before the Broderbond case was filed and my reaction at the time was "what a rip off" (even though the resolution on Print Master's graphics was better and there was an additional feature or two). I really can't predict whether the legal detail of my perception will be upheld on appeal. With respect to Apple's suit; it seems the issue is somewhat analogous to what my happen if you or I started a fast food burger and fries place named McDougall's (spelled differently, right?) with yellow (rather than "golden") arches and hired Bozo the Clown (predates the competitor's symbol) to appear in advertising. How close Windows is to that situation (in the eyes of a court) probably is more than an intuitive obvious or frivolous question. From what I've perused in the trade press (haven't had time to read the details yet), the suit does threaten to cast the Presentation Manager into legal limbo (perhap beyond the date when Microsoft has it ready to release ). Was that part of Apple's intent? Is the Pacific Ocean wide? --------------------- Disclaimer: I like my opinions better than my employer's anyway... (subject to change without notice; void where prohibited) ARPA: sewall%uconnvm.bitnet@mitvma.mit.edu Murphy A. Sewall BITNET: SEWALL@UCONNVM School of Business Admin. UUCP: ...ihnp4!psuvax1!UCONNVM.BITNET!SEWALL University of Connecticut