From: Rui Miguel Seabra (rms_at_1407.org)
Date: Mon Nov 17 2003 - 15:04:39 EST
On Mon, 2003-11-17 at 19:17, Alan Horkan wrote:
> On Mon, 17 Nov 2003, Rui Miguel Seabra wrote:
> > Microsoft may have patents and/or patent applications that are necessary
> > for you to license in order to make, sell, or distribute software programs
> > that read or write files that comply with the Microsoft specifications for
> > the Office Schemas.
> _may have_
Yes, well, you also may have to read the full Microsoft pages and
research a lot (and it is very hard) in the USPTO database and the
european equivalents. It's not an easy job, but you're supposed to be
able to get more info straight from the link at microsoft.com (when the
/. effect calms down.
> I hate over reaching lawyers with disclaimers so vague as to be useless
> but that seems to be what this is.
Don't be naïve...
> > So usage of MS Word XML files requires a patentlicense.
> that remains to be seen, and seems highly unlikely.
I guess you're still with problems reaching Microsoft too...
> > You are not licensed to distribute a Licensed Implementation under license
> > terms and conditions that prohibit the terms and conditions of this license.
> > You are not licensed to sublicense or transfer your rights.
>
> Abiword could still make an unlicensed implementation couldn't it?
Remember, we're talking about S o f t w a r e P a t e n t s
No it couldn't (at least, it would be illegal do distribute and use in
countries with enforceable software patents -- like the USA).
> > This is very good timing, and goes to show how important it is to ensure
> > that the software patent directive has articles that protects interoperativity
> > from consituting patentinfringemet.
>
> Patents suck. Some patents suck more than others, software patents in
> paticular. http://swpat.ffii.org/
>
> The claimed patent information page is currently 404
> http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/odcXMLRef/html/odcXMLRefLegalNotice.asp?frame=true
> cant argue with (or held to agree with ;) that can you?
/. effect sucks ;)
> Rui, it would have been nice if you had added some of your own comments,
> or doubts rather than just forwarding this on verbatim but I'm sure we'll
> hear your opinions soon enough.
Unfourtunately (on one hand), work has been rather overwhelming.
> PS the article on slashdot might include some intelligent comments on the
> matter (but I wouldn't hold my breath)
> http://developers.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=86136
No, don't hold it much. Sometimes there are good posts, but the majority
sucks.
I'm having dinner at a restaurant, so I might not be able to even add
anything at the moment.
Hugs, Rui
>
-- + No matter how much you do, you never do enough -- unknown + Whatever you do will be insignificant, | but it is very important that you do it -- Gandhi + So let's do it...?Please AVOID sending me WORD, EXCEL or POWERPOINT attachments. See http://www.fsf.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html
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