I thought this article which I came across yesterday seemed quite well timed. Note that it reflects only the Patint and Trademark Office's new position and not any legally binding decision, but they are obviously a very powerful voice in these proceedings. Additionally, who knows what impact, if any, these developments could have on this particular litigation that has already gone forward. Still, misguided patent law regarding software development is obviously a hot topic 'round these parts today. *grin*
The Death of Google's Patents? http://www.patentlyo.com/patent/2008/07/the-death-of-go.html Octavian Rasnita wrote:
I think most of the patents are in the same situation. Very few of them are very intelligent things that others couldn't think about. So the one who's faster and registers the patent is the winner. Is it ok? Of course it isn't. This is a protection invented by the powerful companies in their favour. The registrar of patents should register only and only if much intelectual work or imagination was involved for doing something. If in the moment of the registration, or any time later, if someone proves that patent is a simple thing that doesn't imply a big intellectual effort, that patent should be revoked. Why isn't so? Because as it is now, it is in favour of bigger and powerful companies. Octavian----- Original Message ----- From: "Jamal Mazrui" <empower@xxxxxxxxx>To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, July 25, 2008 2:21 PM Subject: RE: Freedom Scientific's Lawyers Strike AgainHi Ken, I suspect you were being tongue in cheeck (and I love your sense of humor!). Although legal fights can be entertaining, I don't see how this is in the interest of blind people, forcing a company to spend money on defending against litigation rather than on R&D to improve access to mainstream software. FYI -- the patent FS claims was violated is described at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=%226,993,707+B2%22&OS= I'm amazed that FS thought its placemarker feature was innovative enough to patent. This seems like an example of taking advantage of the magical nature of assistive technology to the uninformed, and then trying to leverage it in questionable trade practices for corporate gain. The fact that GW was never notified of the concern while its product has been in beta with public demos strongly suggests that the aim is to damage GW economically, not actually to protect intellectual property. What do others think? Jamal On Fri, 25 Jul 2008, Ken Perry wrote:Date: Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:43:30 -0700 From: Ken Perry <whistler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Reply-To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: RE: Freedom Scientific's Lawyers Strike Again I say let them fight and while they are fighting I hope Saratek is coding. Ken -----Original Message----- From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jared Wright Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 6:58 PM To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Freedom Scientific's Lawyers Strike Again Hi James, Worked here just now, so I'm not sure what's at fault. The long and short is that Freedom claims GW Micro's implementation of webpage placemarkers in Window Eyes 7 violates their patint on, I guess, being able to have placemarkers on a webpage. They filed litigation today. Jared Jared James Panes wrote:Hi Guys, Just thought I would let you know that this page is not available. Did FS lawyers have something to do with this? Regards, Jim jimpanes@xxxxxxxxx jimpanes@xxxxxxxxxxxx "Everything is easy when you know how." ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jared Wright" <wright.jaredm@xxxxxxxxx> To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 12:53 PM Subject: Freedom Scientific's Lawyers Strike Again http://www.gwmicro.com/blog/index.php/all/2008/07/24/do_companies_real ly_compete_on_who_has_t Read it and weep, at least if seeing screen readers compete on their functionality for all our general betterment is at all appealing to you. Jared __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind__________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind__________View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind__________View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind
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