Re: [Patents] JPEG et al patented in US and EU

["Nick Fleming" <Nick@bigfatpanda.fsnet.co.uk>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "PILCH Hartmut" <phm@a2e.de>
To: <patents@aful.org>
Sent: Friday, July 19, 2002 9:05 PM
Subject: [Patents] JPEG et al patented in US and EU


> More on this is being collected at
>
> http://swpat.ffii.org/patents/effects/jpeg/
>
> Interestingly the patent claim as granted by the EPO in 1994 covers a very
> basic method of coding: pure thought, even without any reference to
> "physical entry points" aka "technical effects".  The latter would be easy
> to add as a verbal clothing and wouldn't make a difference in practise
> anyway, but it is interesting to see how bold the EPO was already in 1994.
> Pure math, pure thought etc are patentable in Europe, as far as EPO
> practise is concerned.
>

According to this U.S. article on the "The Doctrine of Laches" :

http://www.converium.com/web/converium/converium.nsf/articles/5731FF9F4372B6
ED85256B43006EA07D?OpenDocument

"Laches enables the infringer to avoid liability if the patent holder delays
too long before commencing litigation. The doctrine flows from the
longstanding, fundamental legal principle that equity will not protect those
who sleep on their rights"

I don't know if this applies in Europe but
this might help limit the effect parasitic patents have
on standard industry data formats.

regards

Nick Fleming.