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I agree-read this
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techpolicy/2004-04-22-eff-takes-on-patents_x.htm

Technology cannot proceed when one small group or another can pull a format or concept out of their back pocket (or lower) years after the thing in question has become a de facto standard (think Xerox: we even use the name as the generic term for making copies).

Another area that bothers me is the latest software raids on the "warez" sites. Now, I agree that it is not the best idea to download from those sites, but they do provide a service. I use the stuff to test expensive software before I spend a fortune on something that may not work.

I have been burned once too many times on the "no open package" return policy. Nothing like being told by some high school troll that I should have known what I wanted and if it would work BEFORE I opened the box to send me to the Dark Side. I've tried the regular official "trial" software option, but they have so many restrictions (can't save, can't print, etc.) and missing files (hardware compatibility-especially SCSI, which I prefer) that a true test is impossible.

But as long as corporations like Disney and Sony can flash the cash and get the CR extended until all the original holders have gone to dust, perpetual copyrights and patents will continue to exist.
Posted by: AbsolutelyNot   Posted on: 04/23/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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If this doesn't demonstrate...  Tim Patterson | 04/23/04
I agree-read this  AbsolutelyNot | 04/23/04
Software patents shouldn't exist  voska | 04/27/04
PNG is looking better and better  Andylb | 04/23/04
Pretty much all  Linux User 147560 | 04/23/04
looks like I'll be changeing my site  Arrg | 04/23/04
oops changing not changeing  Arrg | 04/23/04
Better get a license from Apple first!  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/23/04
From Greg Roelofs member, PNG Group; author, PNG  B.O.F.H. | 04/23/04
Try again.  Patrick Jones | 04/23/04
PNG and MNG tools Alpha Composition Patent  B.O.F.H. | 04/23/04
PNG sucks for photograhic compression  K B | 04/23/04
Depends  CobraA1 | 04/24/04
I see prior art in the patent  el1jones | 04/23/04
Not really..  d_jedi | 04/23/04
You What Would Be Really COOL?  coffeenite | 04/23/04
You Could Have Something There  Letophoro | 04/23/04
Ahhhh ... but ...  coffeenite | 04/23/04
Aha but you forget the chalkboard  NemesisNL | 04/23/04
Ohio Art does one better  Nullifidian | 04/23/04
True, but ...  coffeenite | 04/23/04
Don't give them the idea  Monkey_MCSE | 04/23/04
I think there is prior art for that too  slopoke | 04/23/04
He's dead though  Letophoro | 04/23/04
Does he have family?  AbsolutelyNot | 04/23/04
It Doesn't Matter Anyway  Letophoro | 04/23/04
Oh, but it does...  AbsolutelyNot | 04/23/04
Not Really  Letophoro | 04/26/04
One Question Though ...  coffeenite | 04/23/04
Prior art is a very valid defense.  drichards1953 | 04/23/04
Maybe the Public Patent Foundation will seek to invalidate it  FilledOut | 04/23/04
Not a bad idea  IT_User | 04/23/04
At this rate  Arrg | 04/23/04
U.S. Patent No. 4,698,672 is a pile of BS  FirstNLastN | 04/23/04
They patented the use of compression on devices  Bill Weisgerber | 04/23/04
Devices???  rmerts@... | 04/26/04
They're claiming covers...  Rick_K | 04/27/04
Need for legal changes obvious.  Update victim | 04/23/04
this patent is 20 years old  V Sanders | 04/23/04
I wonder who's funding these lawsuits....  Rick_K | 04/23/04
Hardware makers are being sued  Bill Weisgerber | 04/23/04
Read the Article  Rick_K | 04/23/04
Patent holders can't be wrong  Enterprise Analyst. | 04/23/04
Oh, go read a Chick tract or something...  AbsolutelyNot | 04/23/04
Patent must be more than a vague concept  drichards1953 | 04/23/04
JPEG & MPEG  rmerts@... | 04/26/04
Patent holders can't be wrong  seosamh_z | 04/23/04
LOOKS LIKE A NAPSTER/RIAA SCENARIO - Are Consumers NEXT?  JohnRowlands | 04/23/04
Let loose the hounds of law!!!  fjtorres | 04/23/04
If you can't make money honestly...  chungkuo | 04/23/04
seems we always have to tear things down  V Sanders | 04/25/04
Are you sure McBride does not have a hand in this?  drichards1953 | 04/23/04
it is unfortunate that...  ryusen | 04/23/04
Not only Apple, but Unisys, AOL, IBM, and several others  drichards1953 | 04/23/04
Well..  d_jedi | 04/23/04
Patent on Wheelbarrow  JMusto | 04/23/04
trucks are just giaint wheelbarrows  V Sanders | 04/26/04
The U.S. Law on Patents  drichards1953 | 04/24/04
Amiga IP  drichards1953 | 04/24/04
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!  CobraA1 | 04/24/04
Just use PNG forget gif and jpeg  FilledOut | 04/25/04
JPEG 2000  j.m.galvin | 04/25/04
I vaguely remember that format . . .  CobraA1 | 04/26/04
Eighteen Months to Go  TomMariner | 04/26/04
Wheres Microsoft?  OhMyGosh | 04/26/04
Hiding in the background, looking for a way to buy or steal the patent  AbsolutelyNot | 04/26/04
this is no better then  V Sanders | 04/26/04
SCO tactics 101  Rick_K | 04/27/04

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