On 11/7/06, James Purser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
On Tue, 2006-11-07 at 10:39 +1100, Robert Thorsby wrote: > I was always under the impression that mathematics cannot be patented. > If the algorithm is mathematics then the patent is invalid (even if it > has been "granted" and has patent numbers etc etc). Therefore, clause 7 > of the GPL is not infringed. > > In other words, "Distribute and be Damned!" > > Robert Thorsby As I understand it, the patents are on methods rather than specific algorithms. As such you get such gems as "One click shopping" and so on.
I thought the RSA patent and the GIF patent were both for specific algorithms? cf http://www.cyberlaw.com/rsa.html which outlines the ways in which an algorithm can be patented... -- There is nothing more worthy of contempt than a man who quotes himself - Zhasper, 2004 -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
