Andrei wrote: > (however it may be defined) feels this is a threat, it would be a good > idea for somebody to get in touch with a relevant body in the US (e.g. > the US Internet Industry Association http://www.usiia.org/) to get some > support to deal with threat.
There is already an "action" gorup with a site/discussion forum/list- server formed to tackle the issue in NZ, and an offer from A J Park (patent attorneys) to act on behalf of any industry group or set of victims of the patent letter who might be interested in knocking it down. Details: http://www.e-c.co.nz/fightthepatent The action group is currently trying to get a copy of the offending letter, as it seems to me that, regardless of what the patent says in legalistic terms, the interest lies in what they are claiming it covers when approaching e-taliers for their "fees". If it is as wide-ranging as the Herald story suggests, then this is definitely a threat to all ecommerce-oriented businesses in NZ, and in any other jurisdiction where the patent is currently deemed valid. So if you might be affected, I encourage you to at least keep tabs on the issue and, if you feel the threat is looking genuine, spread the word far and wide. I suspect this may be a battle that might have to be fought both legally and politically if it turns out to be more than a bit of ignorable posturing. cheers, peter =========================================== Peter Hyde, Development Director, SPIS Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand * TCompress/TCompLHA component sets for Delphi/Kylix/C++ * TurboNote+: http://TurboNote.com -- top-rated onscreen sticky notes Find all the above and MORE at http://spis.co.nz --> via Canterbury Software email forum: Success through Connections Email your messages to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Searchable list archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Leave or rejoin the list: http://canterburysoftware.org.nz/forum.htm
