On Sat, Oct 12, 2002 at 09:13:03AM -0500, Julia Thompson wrote:
> *That* is what's wrong with the software patent system -- IBM patents
> everything in sight, and then files claims against everyone in sight,
> to where companies that don't believe in software patents start filing
> them right and left, not with the intention of suing other people, but
> so they'll have the patent in hand if someone files against *them*.
I'm sure IBM files mostly frivolous patents to reach such
huge yearly totals. But I want to point out that IBM has
made some worthwhile inventions recently. The 100+GB hard
drives we have today are largely due to IBM's inventions in
{giant,super,humongous}-magneto-resistance. And many of the developments
that kept microprocessor speed advancing recently are due to IBM, such
as copper interconnects and silicon-on-insulator (SOI).
--
"Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.erikreuter.net/
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