rcd@ico.isc.com (Dick Dunn) (11/27/90)
In a questionnaire sent to USENIX members, there's some exploration of what activities USENIX might spend money on. Among these is mention of the possibility of activity against software patents (to which I say "yes, and get going on it!":-) with a cryptic note about the idea of an include file having recently been granted a patent, after the application pending for 15 years. I'm perplexed about this "include patent". There are obvious replies like "BUT...(sputter)...wait!... that can't be!...", knowing that the idea of an include file is a lot older than 15 years, but I'd rather rail against something concrete--which I can't do without knowing what was patented. Can anyone shed light on this? Conjecture won't help; please don't follow up with what you "heard someone who knows somebody who knows someone..." say. (In fact, if you'll email info, I'll gladly summarize it ASAP.) What was patented; who owns the patent? -- Dick Dunn rcd@ico.isc.com -or- ico!rcd Boulder, CO (303)449-2870 ...Mr. Natural says, "Use the right tool for the job."