Re: Software Patents (was Re: Initial Proposal to solve this non-US issue)
Raul writes:
> Please visit http://lpf.ai.mit.edu to see why this is an issue for
> the design of software where it hasn't been such an issue for the most
> production processes.
The difference is one of degree, not of kind.
If my program does not infringe any patents then it does not infringe any
patents. It absurd to say that publishing a program that does not infringe
any patents is illegal just because the publisher is not certain of that at
the time of publication.
Publishing a program or selling a device is a bit of a gamble in that one
cannot be certain that it does not infringe any as yet unpublished patents,
but it is not illegal. The risk is pretty much limited to the possibility
that you may be ordered to take your product off the market.
--
John Hasler
john@dhh.gt.org (John Hasler)
Dancing Horse Hill
Elmwood, WI
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