[wellylug] new MS software patent application

[jumbophut]

On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 12:46:07 -0800 (PST), Brent Wood wrote:
> 
> This patent application by Microsoft is perhaps the biggest threat to the
> software industry to date.
> 
[snip]

I don't see how it is directly relevant to Linux to discuss _this
particular_ patent.  The USPTO and our own IPONZ will grant a patent
for nearly any crap presented to them, because that is how they make
their money.  But that does not mean the patent is actually
enforceable, since the standard for upholding them in the courts is
considerably higher.  I'm sure any person on this list can name prior
art, or reasons there is no obvious inventive step in this patent.

In short, this is a discussion about the shortcomings of our IP/legal
systems, which allow dubious patents to be granted willy-nilly, and
only overturned in the courts at considerable cost.   This issue only
tangentially affects Linux, and affects it no more than most other
fields of creative endeavour.  The NZOSS list would be a highly
appropriate venue for discussion of these issues.

-- 
Tony (echo 'spend!,pocket awide' | sed 'y/acdeikospntw!, /l at omcgtjuba.phi/')