"David B. Held" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > On the other hand, I imagine that Boost authors generally don't have > the same resources that large companies do. So is it really in > anyone's best interests to attack a Boost author over a dubious > patent claim? Isn't that like trying to squeeze blood from a > turnip? In a way, Boost authors may be protected by the fact that > they are single individuals, rather than entire corporations.
I would be very wary of that logic. Companies have all kinds of reasons for suing. In some areas like trademark infringement, it the rights-holder's responsibility to enforce the trademark. If you don't pursue the infringer, your rights to the trademark disappear. > And I imagine that if someone were to unfairly attack a Boost > library over questionable legal issues, there would be people with a > vested interest in Boost that might contribute to a legal defense. > But maybe that's just wishful thinking and unguarded idealism. I think there's something to it, but it's mostly wishful/idealistic. > > It seems to me that the library review process is probably more > comprehensive than whatever review comes up during the patent > process (especially considering the kinds of patents that have been > issued over time). So I find it difficult to believe that an IP > lawyer with a bone to pick would have more knowledge of prior art > than the entire Boost community. That's probably true, but once a patent is granted, "infringers" are guilty until proven innocent. Thus, the burden rests with whoever is named in the suit, and a company with enough resources and lawyers can bankrupt and/or make life miserable for those individuals. There are facilities like http://www.bountyquest.com/ for fighting back... > I would be extremely surprised if anyone could make any worthwhile > legal claims against any user of a major Boost library because of > Boost itself. Whether or not it's "worthwhile" really depends on the goals of those bringin suit. -- David Abrahams [EMAIL PROTECTED] * http://www.boost-consulting.com Boost support, enhancements, training, and commercial distribution _______________________________________________ Unsubscribe & other changes: http://lists.boost.org/mailman/listinfo.cgi/boost
