Ordania-DM@cup.portal.com (09/12/88)
I am not including any of the previous messages, but I will quickly summarize them: 1) SEA sued PKARC for the use of SEA's trademark "ARC". 2) SEA won. 3) SEA should not be allowed to win. This problem is also happening in the battle of Apple vs Microsoft Windows. I do not see the conclusion of either of these battles (Apple is going to win by out-legalizing Microsoft) as good for the computer industry, regardless of the computer. I am using an Atari 8-bit computer but this problem affects everyone who uses a computer rather than just the IBM owners. I have captured all the previous messages and rest assured you are all going to be immortalized on BBS's around the nation. I don't know about you but I have had enough of this bullying. A more forceful letter sent to Apple (something to the effect of : even if windows never makes it to the IBM, I won'T buy your computer if it's the only one in the WORLD!) along with one sent to SEA would probably do more for the industry as a whole than even boycotting their products would. I also, of course, advocate boycotting their products. One last thing...could someone please make this series of articles go into world-wide distribution. I'm afraid I don't quite have this service down enough to do that.
sarathy@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu (Rajiv Sarathy) (09/14/88)
In article <8996@cup.portal.com> Ordania-DM@cup.portal.com writes: > > I am not including any of the previous messages, but I will quickly >summarize them: > 1) SEA sued PKARC for the use of SEA's trademark "ARC". > 2) SEA won. > 3) SEA should not be allowed to win. > > This problem is also happening in the battle of Apple vs Microsoft Windows. > I do not see the conclusion of either of these battles (Apple is going to >win by out-legalizing Microsoft) as good for the computer industry, regardless >of the computer. > blah. blah. blah. Au contraire, mon ami. It IS good for the industry (software, that is). How would YOU like it if YOU wrote a new program which revolutionalizes the way people think about computers, and everyone else started copying you? Unless you are a complete altruist, and have no capitalistic tendencies, in which case you wouldn't be a true red-white-and-blue American, you wouldn't like it either. I know I'm treading on a few toes, but give it some thought -- it's true. Apple will probably (I have NO inside knowledge) license the right to other software vendors (Microsoft, HP, etc) to have a desktop similar to theirs. As a software author, I know that I wouldn't want others profiting from my ideas, without giving me a piece of the pie. ;-> ----- Disclaimer: I'm just an undergrad. -----
wheels@mks.UUCP (Gerry Wheeler) (09/14/88)
In article <1988Sep13.185106.14193@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu>, sarathy@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu (Rajiv Sarathy) writes: > How would YOU like it if YOU wrote a new program which revolutionalizes the > way people think about computers, and everyone else started copying you? Didn't I hear once about some form of protection (copyright, trademark, or something) which had limited duration? This would let the inventor have x years to launch the product, make his big bucks and get his name plastered all over the place, but after that time others would have a chance to share the pie. Did I just dream about this, or is it real? Does it apply to this type of situation? Would it be a good idea? -- Gerry Wheeler Phone: (519)884-2251 Mortice Kern Systems Inc. UUCP: uunet!watmath!mks!wheels 35 King St. North BIX: join mks Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2W9 CompuServe: 73260,1043
anand@vax1.acs.udel.EDU (Anand Iyengar) (09/15/88)
In article <1988Sep13.185106.14193@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu> sarathy@gpu.utcs.UUCP (Rajiv Sarathy) writes: > Au contraire, mon ami. It IS good for the industry (software, that is). >How would YOU like it if YOU wrote a new program which revolutionalizes the >way people think about computers, and everyone else started copying you? Au contraire: it's good for Apple, who stole it from Xerox, who's to weak to sue them... Anand.
dave@sun.soe (Dave Goldblatt) (09/15/88)
From article <1894@udccvax1.acs.udel.EDU>, by anand@vax1.acs.udel.EDU (Anand Iyengar): > In article <1988Sep13.185106.14193@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu> sarathy@gpu.utcs.UUCP (Rajiv Sarathy) writes: >> Au contraire, mon ami. It IS good for the industry (software, that is). >>How would YOU like it if YOU wrote a new program which revolutionalizes the >>way people think about computers, and everyone else started copying you? > Au contraire: it's good for Apple, who stole it from Xerox, who's > to weak to sue them... Actually, Apple signed a licensing agreement with Xerox for the NONEXCLUSIVE right to the techniques developed at PARC. At least one other company, Sun Microsystems, has also signed such a license agreement. Besides, I'm sure Xerox could sue Apple if they deigned to. I wouldn't exactly call them a "weak" company.. :-) -dg- -- Internet: dave@sun.soe.clarkson.edu or: dave@clutx.clarkson.edu BITNET: dave@CLUTX.Bitnet uucp: {rpics, gould}!clutx!dave Matrix: Dave Goldblatt @ 1:260/360 ICBM: Why do you want to know? :-)
james@bigtex.uucp (James Van Artsdalen) (09/17/88)
In article <506@mks.UUCP>, wheels@mks.UUCP (Gerry Wheeler) wrote: > Didn't I hear once about some form of protection (copyright, trademark, > or something) which had limited duration? Patents last 17 years from the date granted by the patent office, and are granted on a first-to-invent, not first-to-file basis. Ever note how most patents seem to be pending and not actually granted? This is because companies will stretch out the patent application process since the clock doesn't start running until the patent is granted. You can add years to the effective life of the patent by dragging out the application process. The other thing to note is that it doesn't matter when you file a patent (as long as it's within a year of invention) because the US uses the unusual first-to-invent system: the initial inventor gets the patent, not the first person to file. This is a little fairer than first-to-file, but can make for messy patent fights. Patents must be vigorously defended against all violators, making a patent expensive to hold. Copyrights last for either 50 or 75 years after the death of the author (I can't remember which). You don't have to defend against each violation like you do with a patent. Trademarks last forever if defended and used. -- James R. Van Artsdalen ...!uunet!utastro!bigtex!james "Live Free or Die" Home: 512-346-2444 Work: 328-0282; 110 Wild Basin Rd. Ste #230, Austin TX 78746
Vaprak@cup.portal.com (09/19/88)
Ive come to the conclusion that Apple's lawsuits against everybody is the only way they can stay in business because their systems are being phased out. All the school systems around here are dropping the Apples and replacing them with IBM compats... I used the apple when I was in school (grad '83), thought they were junk, and am glad to see them gone! Vaprak@cup.portal.com sun!cup.portal.com!Vaprak