[Linux-aus] AUSFTA - time to start doing more

[Michael Davies]

Hi Brendon,


I agree - if there's a problem then a better example should be used - but
having an article pulled from smh doesn't make it less real.

Looking at the patent in question (see
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,727,830.WKU.&OS=PN/6,727,830&RS=PN/6,727,830)
it appears to talk about single clicks, double clicks and long clicks as
differentiators of functional behaviour on a "limited resource computing
device".  While not as broad in scope as the original claim, it still
seems a little bit trivial to be granted a patent on double clicking on a
PDA.

So a more relevant example should be cited - but this patent grant is
still wrong (but IANAL).  [Note to self - do more research before using
on-line articles as reference sources]

I was trying to point out that (bad) software patents continue to be
granted - so we should make use of this great opportunity with the AUSFTA
to ensure Australia doesn't go down the same patent path - and inherit the
same legal minefield as in the USA.

Thanks for noticing a problem,


Michael...


<quote who="Brendon Chase">
> I don't mean to take the wind out of the sails from the AUSFTA stance
> by Linux Australia but this story was taken off the SMH Web site.
>
> I'm presuming that it was incorrect if the story was pulled.
>
> Maybe a more accurate story would be a better example?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: linux-aus-admin at lists.linux.org.au
> [mailto:linux-aus-admin at lists.linux.org.au] On Behalf Of Michael Davies
> Sent: Thursday, 3 June 2004 11:02 AM
> To: linux-aus at linux.org.au
> Subject: [Linux-aus] AUSFTA - time to start doing more
>
>
>
> Microsoft has just been granted a US patent for double-clicking.
>
>
> See http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/02/1086058889577.html for
> details.
>
>
> Earlier in the year they filed for "virtual desktop navigation"
> (remember that twm had this years ago).  Bad patents are getting
> awarded all the time.
>
> Have you done something about stopping US-style patents coming into
> Australia?  Under the AUSFTA these sorts of things will start happening
> here unless we stand up and be counted.
>
> See http://linux.org.au/fta for ways you can help - right now
> petitioning your local member of parliament is something you might like
> to do.
>
> Linux Australia also has a wiki -
> http://lactte.linux.org.au/twiki/bin/view/Main/FTA - so you can record
> what you say to which politician.
>
> Everyone in the Open-Source community should get involved if they can.
> This is important for our future.
>
> --
> Michael Davies               Linux.Conf.Au Canberra Apr 18-23 2005
> michael at msdavies dot net  Australia's National Linux Conference
> http://opensource.org.au     http://lca2005.linux.org.au
>
>
>
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-- 
Michael Davies               Linux.Conf.Au Canberra Apr 18-23 2005
michael at msdavies dot net  Australia's National Linux Conference
http://opensource.org.au     http://lca2005.linux.org.au