[Gtk-sharp-list] gtk# and MS patent

Tue, 11 Feb 2003 22:59:38 +0100

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Well, after reading through this patent thing, I've come up with the
following conclusions:

1.) It's an Application which still needs to be granted.

2.) Owning a patent is not the same as exercising it. IBM and Sun
have mutual "cease weapons" over patents..

3.) It seems to relate to the (C#?) API and not the CLI/ECMA
Specification.

4.) Since I somehow can't view the images, I'm having serious trouble
to understand what invention is really claimed.

5.) Java is protected by a (various, much more detailed) similar
patent(s), including the byte code instructions etc.

6.) After brief discussion, it's my, among others, guess that's a
rather protective, then an offensive, patent, seems to be a tactical
move, although I do not see what for.

7.) All .NET namespaces (an hence classes) seem to be included
(affected), that means all mono classes would be affected since they
are grouped the same way as in .NET (obviously).  

8.) It seems to me that features rather then concrete implementations
are protected, which would leave enough freedom for mono, IMHO.

Personaly, I think it's more smoke than fire, but still troubeling.
Let's hope for this PR department of MS to issue something, hopefully
something usefull and calming :)

Ben

- --
Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions and are in _no way_
related to any organization I might be associated with.
- --
Benjamin Voigt
ooooooooooooooooooo(,.+'^(http://www.shamiro.ch)^`+.,)oooooooooooooooo
oo
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: gtk-sharp-list-admin@lists.ximian.com 
> [mailto:gtk-sharp-list-admin@lists.ximian.com] On Behalf Of 
> Benjamin Voigt
> Sent: Dienstag, 11. Februar 2003 20:54
> To: 'George Farris'; 'gtk-sharp list'
> Subject: RE: [Gtk-sharp-list] gtk# and MS patent
> 
> 
>  
> 
> *** PGP Signature Status: good
> *** Signer: Benjamin Voigt <egal@icu.unizh.ch>
> *** Signed: 11.02.2003 20:53:37
> *** Verified: 11.02.2003 22:51:13
> *** BEGIN PGP VERIFIED MESSAGE ***
> 
> For those not aware of which patent claim: 
> http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d
> =P
> G01&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1='20030028685'.P
> GN R.&OS=DN/20030028685&RS=DN/20030028685
> 
> It's actually 22 Pages and contains 43 separate claims. I 
> must say I'm a little troubled here. Somebody already had a 
> lawyer going over it? Boston seems to be a great place to 
> find somebody Educated for such task :)
> 
> From my very limited brain leaks, that they took specific 
> picks of the class library, but including 
> System.Windows.Forms... So I'd guess GTK# is most affected if 
> at all, since they wrap around and map winforms functions to 
> GTK. Meaning, I'm not really sure that this patent really 
> interferes, but lawyers have to see to it, of cause.
> 
> I'll try to run the specified classes against any implemented 
> mono/GTK# classes.
> 
> Ben
> 
> --
> Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions and are in _no 
> way_ related to any organization I might be associated with.
> 
> --
> Benjamin Voigt 
> ooooooooooooooooooo(,.+'^(http://www.shamiro.ch)^`+.,)oooooooooooooo
> oo oo 
> 0x460x690x670x680x740x200x660x6F0x720x200x660x720x650x650x640x6F0x6D
> 0x 21
> PGP: http://pgpkeys.mit.edu
>  
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: gtk-sharp-list-admin@lists.ximian.com
> > [mailto:gtk-sharp-list-admin@lists.ximian.com] On Behalf Of 
> > George Farris
> > Sent: Dienstag, 11. Februar 2003 20:19
> > To: gtk-sharp list
> > Subject: [Gtk-sharp-list] gtk# and MS patent
> > 
> > 
> > So anyone have a take on how this whole patent issue
> > surrounding .NET is going to affect gtk# and mono?
> > 
> > --
> > George Farris <farrisg@mala.bc.ca> 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Gtk-sharp-list maillist  -  Gtk-sharp-list@lists.ximian.com 
> > http://lists.ximian.com/mailman/listinfo/gtk-> sharp-list
> > 
> 
> 
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