[Patents] EPO-Patent on GUI-based network configuration

[Gregory Aharonian srctran@world.std.com]

Hartmut posts:
> EP0490624
> Graphical configuration of data processing networks
> IBM (US)

Hartmut,
        You might want to consider posting the priority data of the
filing of the patent application as well.  That's what I used to do
when I posted such silly patents.  For example, if this patent was
filed in the 1970s, it would be interesting.  If filed in the 1990s,
silly.
        That said, I can't believe the we-now-love-open-source-IBM
actually now loves open source, given the continual acquisition of
such silly patents.  IBM gets these patents, not for defensive reasons
like their guy said at the French conference, but for offensive reasons
to maintain their billion-dollar/year+ patent licensing royalties.
Their support for Open Source is mostly to help them undermine 
Microsoft in the marketplace.

Greg Aharonian