🚀 go-pugleaf

From comp.newprod:

>Newsgroups: comp.newprod
>Subject: MOMENTA PENTOP computer volume shipments in the US and Europe
>Message-ID: <92133@mcdchg.chg.mcd.mot.com>

>MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., February 6, 1992
 [...]
>  A key part of the Momenta applications interface is the Command
>Compass.  This patented feature allows users to manipulate or modify
>information simply by stroking the pen in specified directions on the
>screen, thereby eliminating the ambiguity of gesture-based systems.

From what I've read about the Command Compass, it's an implementation
of pie menus for pen-based systems. Pie menus are a pretty old idea,
according to my foggy memory. Does anyone know what (if anything) is
particularly innovative about Momenta's implentation of them? If I make
a pen-based system, can I use pie menus without infringing Momenta's
patent?

Philosophically, I support some protection for innovative work in
interfaces and algorithms. 17 years is too long; 75 years is way too
long. Two to four years sounds more like a reasonable period of time.
But, unless I missed something in the article I read about the Momenta,
their work (in this area) isn't particularly innovative. What good does
it do to protect reimplementations of old ideas for 17 years? (even two
would be too many)...

--John

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
John L. Coolidge   til May: coolidge@cs.uiuc.edu   May: coolidge@apple.com
Of course I don't speak for the U of I, Apple, or anyone else except myself
Copyright 1992 John L. Coolidge. Copying allowed if (and only if) attributed.
You may redistribute this article if and only if your recipients may as well.