Hadron wrote:
> Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:
>
>> ____/ Chris Ahlstrom on Monday 22 December 2008 12:37 : \____
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> After takin' a swig o' grog, Roy Schestowitz belched out
>>> this bit o' wisdom:
>>>
>>>> PATENT OFFICE GRANTS PUBPAT REQUEST TO REEXAMINE WIDELY ASSERTED
>>>> PHOTOMOSAIC PATENT: Government Finds 'Sunstantial Questions' Regarding
>>>> Validity of Patent Asserted Against Important Open Source Project
>>>>
>>>> ,----[ Quote ]
>>>>| The Public Patent Foundation ("PUBPAT") announced today that the U.S.
>>>>| Patent and Trademark Office has granted its formal request to review
>>>>| a patent relating to photomosaics (large pictures made up of many
>>>>| smaller pictures) assigned to Mr. Robert Silvers, who has been
>>>>| aggressively asserting the patent against many individuals, small
>>>>| businesses, and even against an important open source software
>>>>| program (GIMP).
>>>> `----
>>>>
>>>> http://www.pubpat.org/silvers498granted.htm
>>>
>>> http://www.kirchgessner.net/photo-mosaic.html
>>>
>>> The image mosaic plug-in for the GIMP is no longer supported or
>>> distributed. Mr. Robert Silvers, the holder of a patent related to
>>> the technology that was used in the plug-in, argued that the
>>> software would directly infringe his patent rights. It is not clear
>>> if the patent is applicable in this case. But I have neither the
>>> time, interest or money for legal action. So I complied with the
>>> cease and desist request.
>>>
>>> PHOTOMOSAIC® is a registered trademark of Runaway Technology, Inc.
>>> The photomosaic process is patented (US Patent No. 6,137,498) and
>>> protected by the patent, copyright, and other intellectual property
>>> laws of the United States and other major countries.
>>
>> Software patents harm society.
>
> No they don't. In a society there are rules and regulations. And people
> pay to be part of that society in many ways.
>
> Paying to duplicate other peoples work is some such payment. In the same
> way Musicians collect royalties, governments rake in road taxes etc etc
> etc.
>
> You know Roy, the money used to finance things like Universities where
> you live.
>
> The only people hurt are free loading copy cats.
What part of "software patents" was too difficult for you?
There is no need at all for those, in fact they severaly damage the
software industry as a whole.
And pray tell, why are they not allowed/enforceable in the EU? Because
people actually had a clue, different from you dimbulb?
Software is amply protected by copyright.
--
The probability of someone watching you is proportional to the
stupidity of your action.
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