[Patents] Be's fear of sw patents

[Stefane Fermigier sf@fermigier.com]

>From BEOS SEC Q10 filling

http://biz.yahoo.com/e/001113/beos.html

 The software industry is characterized by the existence of a large number of
 patents and frequent litigation based on allegations of patent infringement.
 As the number of entrants into our market increases, the possibility of an
 infringement claim against us grows. For example, we may be inadvertently
 infringing on a patent. In addition, because patent applications can take 
many
 years to issue, there may be a patent application now pending of which we are
 unaware upon which will be infringing when it issues in the future. Although
 we do not believe that our products infringes on the rights of third parties,
 third parties may still assert infringement claims against us in the future
 and this could result in costly litigation and distraction of management. To
 address such patent infringement claims, we may have to enter into royalty or
 licensing agreements. Licenses may not be available on reasonable terms or at
 all which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of
 operations.

Regards,

        S.

-- 
Stéfane Fermigier, Tel: 06 63 04 12 77 (mobile).
<www.portalux.com>: le portail Linux / logiciel libre.
"Amazon: we patent the dot in .com"