🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <869@nddsun1.sps.mot.com> waters@nddsun1.sps.mot.com (Mike Waters) writes:
>In article <MJOHNSTO.91Feb26095537@admin8780.shearson.com> mjohnsto@admin8780.shearson.com (Mike Johnston) writes:
>>
>>This is not a flame. 
>
>Good - I generally just ignore flames.
>
>>I agree that original work should be rewarded but there
>>are some things that are so fundamental to an industry that patents should
>>not be allowed. As an extreme example let's say you are a car manufacturer
>>and want to get an edge on your competitors. A quick check with your
>>legal office reveals VOILA! the *wheel* was NEVER patented!!!!! Naturally,
>>if you are the anti-competitive sort you'll run right down to the patent
>>office and put a lock on it and immediately begin to demand royalties from
>>anyone who uses a wheel in their product.
>
>Slight problem, the law is that you only get a patent if the idea was
>never before known. Seems to me that people have used wheels before.
>
	It seems to me that backing store was used before AT&T used it.
	(Xerox, MIT, probably IBM)

My $.02 ....
Steve


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