Re: Proprietary Software term

[Wols Lists]

On 18/08/18 23:28, David Kastrup wrote:
> zip has been defined using patentable techniques (like
> https://www.google.com/patents/US5051745) but the implementations are
> usually unencumbered.

Just because it has been patented does not mean it is patentable :-(

Of course, the problem is persuading the Patent Offices (who are paid
based on the patents they *issue*) that the patent applications are
actually invalid.

(A file is just a big number, or a collection of numbers. Anything that
does not involve actual hardware is maths. None of that is patentable
under either the American or European legal system. Just wish we could
actually get the lawyers to recognise that :-(

Cheers,
Wol