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Article #74872Re: AT&T Threat against X Windows freedom
From: Mike Johnston
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 1991 14:55
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 1991 14:55
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In article <861@nddsun1.sps.mot.com> waters@nddsun1.sps.mot.com (Mike Waters) writes: Frankly I fail to see why getting paid for original work is so upsetting to some people. This is not a flame. 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. Extreme? Yes, but think of the ramifications of this sort of mentality as it continues to gather steam. What is next? Does someone patent the idea of a pipe or I/O redirection? -- -- Michael R. Johnston mjohnsto@shearson.com || mjohnstonn@mcimail.com System Administrator UUCP: uunet!slcpi!mjohnsto Lehman Brothers Inc. Phone: (212) 640-9116 'Tar is not a play thing.'
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X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 1025b4,b0a85d23901c1430 X-Google-Attributes: gid1025b4,public X-Google-ArrivalTime: 1991-02-26 08:42:34 PST Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!gmdzi!unido!fauern!ira.uka.de!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!spool.mu.edu!samsung!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!shearson.com!newshost!mjohnsto From: mjohnsto@admin8780.shearson.com (Mike Johnston) Newsgroups: gnu.misc.discuss Subject: Re: AT&T Threat against X Windows freedom Message-ID: <MJOHNSTO.91Feb26095537@admin8780.shearson.com> Date: 26 Feb 91 14:55:37 GMT References: <1991Feb25.043755.17220@algor2.algorists.com> <861@nddsun1.sps.mot.com> Sender: news@shearson.com (News) Organization: Lehman Brothers Lines: 23 In-Reply-To: waters@nddsun1.sps.mot.com's message of 25 Feb 91 20:55:53 GMT