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Depends
Say I had patented a piece of software that would take two numbers and give you the sum of those numbers. Now, you come up with the idea of a spreadsheet. Oops, you can't sum numbers in your application. That idea has been patented. I might be willing to license the my software to you, but at $2USD per copy of your software that is pressed onto CD.
Now, don't think that you can add three numbers and then subtract the unneeded third number. My patent is broad enough to ensure that the concept of adding numbers together falls under my patent. Also, you would fall afoul of another patent of mine that covers subtraction.

All kidding aside, due to the nature of computing devices in general, there are only so many ways to do a task. Sometimes there is only one way to do something. For example, a PC is unable to do integration by any other method than by parts. Does that mean that any application that needs to perform integration must license the technology from someone who never did, and doesn't intend to make any software that performs integration?
BTW - Just in case you've never run into it, I am referring to Calculus when I mention integration.
Posted by: Letophoro   Posted on: 04/12/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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InterGraph is getting PAID!!!  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
Who needs to manufacture hardware...  vferrara | 04/12/04
Voiding patents a bad Idea  Letophoro | 04/12/04
I would argue that...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
Depends  Letophoro | 04/12/04
I agree, there needs to be balance.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
Patenting Knowledge  Letophoro | 04/12/04
I have the ANSWER!!!  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
Would you see it that way if it was your patent?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
But what if they are just guessing?  el1jones | 04/12/04
But, I can't afford to build it.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
That's not the question... I said...  el1jones | 04/12/04
To far out in left field for me.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/12/04
Copyrights and Patents  jwschull@... | 04/14/04
Why patents.  bjbrock | 04/12/04

What do you think?

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