[Patents] Lernout & Hauspie

[Francois PELLEGRINI pelegrin@labri.u-bordeaux.fr]

        Hello all.

Bernard Lang wrote:
> COMPLEX TECHNOLOGY FIGHTS TO MAKE ITS VOICE HEARD
> Voice recognition software will become an important interface for
> a wide range of electronic devices over the next few years as
> high-tech leaders invest heavily in the technology. Only a few
> companies are tackling the voice recognition market, and Lernout
> & Hauspie, a leader in the field, recently filed for bankruptcy.
> IBM, Microsoft, and Philips are among the other players in the
> field. Although voice recognition software is expected to become
> an $8 billion market within three years, many companies are
> reluctant to enter the market because the software is so complex.
> Microsoft has been working with Lernout & Hauspie on voice
> technology and plans next year to release a version of Office
> with some voice recognition tools included. Meanwhile, the
> proliferation of mobile computing devices is likely to further
> boost the voice market. Devices such as smart phones and
> Internet appliances are gaining popularity but are restricted
> by clumsy interfaces such as tiny keyboards and awkward pen-like
> input devices. A voice interface would be a natural fit with
> mobile computing devices, experts say.
> (Financial Times, 1 December 2000)
> 
> Lernout & Hauspie recently filed for bankruptcy.
> 
> and who will get the patents .... ?

        Well, they will be sold by the people that will manage
the bankruptcy, in order to get cash. The three big above will
certainly put much money on the auction table to get them.
        Interesting to see who will get them.

                                f.p.

> Bernard
> 
> --
>          Non aux Brevets Logiciels  -  No to Software Patents
>            SIGNEZ    http://petition.eurolinux.org/    SIGN
> 
> Bernard.Lang@inria.fr             ,_  /\o    \o/    Tel  +33 1 3963 5644
> http://pauillac.inria.fr/~lang/  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^  Fax  +33 1 3963 5469
>             INRIA / B.P. 105 / 78153 Le Chesnay CEDEX / France
>          Je n'exprime que mon opinion - I express only my opinion
>                  CAGED BEHIND WINDOWS or FREE WITH LINUX
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Patents maillist  -  Patents@liberte.aful.org
> http://liberte.aful.org/mailman/listinfo/patents

-- 
François PELLEGRINI                               
pelegrin@labri.u-bordeaux.fr
Maître de Conférences, ENSEIRB                           
http://www.enserb.fr/
Chercheur au LaBRI, Université Bordeaux I      
http://www.labri.u-bordeaux.fr/
Membre d'Eurolinux                              
http://petition.eurolinux.org/