[Patents] On GPL Ideas and Limited Software Patentability

[orre@nada.kth.se (Roland Orre)]

On Wed, 9 May 2001, PILCH Hartmut wrote:
> > I also said that I will patent this algorithm, ...
>
> Better do it rather than talk about it.

Yes, but I can not patent the complete algorithm, because the patent
system does not protect in the way I feel being necessary. The only
way I can do it, still with reasonable protection, is to patent it
in smaller modules, which are still useful, but doesn't reveal
how the complete system works.

> Although there is a grace period in the USA, it is not advisable
> to give people hints about what you might be trying to patent.
> The same applies to the other parts of the strategy that you are
> envisaging.  Just talking about it makes it appear as if it was
> a scheme designed not for action but for stirring debates on the lists.

No, I know, I've probably given enough hints already, to let
someone else in the same business implement the same ideas if
I'm not hurrying.

> Also, I don't think that slander on mailing lists constitutes an offense
> for which you can sue anyone.  It is not the same as libel, the latter
> consisting in false factual statements about persons.

We will see!

        Best regards
        Roland