Re: potent patent problems

From: Brad Jensen <brad_at_elstore.com>
Date: Fri 19 Jan 2001 15:11:54 -0500

MICHAEL MARTINEZ <Michael_at_xenite.org> WROTE:
> It depends on how the popups are implemented. Netzero
> (or anyone) can patent a new way of doing the same old
> thing.

RACHEL CHERVATIN <so_cue_at_hotmail.com> WROTE:
> This is similar to Amazon patenting one-click
> purchasing, though it is more specifically an online
> advertising issue - is no one speaking up about this?

MICHAEL MARTINEZ <Michael_at_xenite.org> WROTE:
> Unless it can be shown that Netzero's software is
> violating some other patent, or is clearly making use
> of "open code" (and that is a very difficult area to
> define), their patent is probably enforceable.

I am not a patent attorney, but I have an interest in
patents as a programmer. You can patent novel
algorithms, but it has to be something that is not
trivial to a skilled practitioner in the trade. That
doesn't leave much, really.

Most of the patents of this type depend on deep legal
pockets, not intrinsic validity.

I used to regularly get letters from some company
showing that they had a patent for purchasing anything
over a modem. Period. Pay up.

Anybody know when the Unisys patent on LZW dies? It
should be soon now. Virtually every web site that uses
GIF's is violating this patent. Unisys goes after
people with deep pockets. Theoretically they could go
after every single advertiser that uses GIF banners.

Their patent may be valid, but I think it is really
just an application of Huffman encoding.

There's a simple thing to do here. Boycott any company
that tries to enforce a patent that slows down the
development of the Internet and the cyberworld.

I don't do business at St-pl-s for that obvious reason
- they spent their money (which would be my money if I
shopped there) supporting a candidate that I think is
extremely antibusiness. Actually I bought something
there once because they were the only source for it in
town, and I have to say it is a well run place. And
that Robot commercial was a hoot. But anyways, part of
the Staples brand for me (the biggest part) is their
rubbing my nose in their anti-me political choices
using profits from doing business with me. Maybe they
looked at demographics and said they would build brand
loyalty with this action,with the customers they really
want. I only spend a couple of thousand a year in
office supply stores, so my business isn't worth much
to them.





Received on Fri Jan 19 2001 - 14:11:54 CST