Package management patented?

[JoeHill]

On Mon, 3 Nov 2003 08:46:50 -0500
Fraser Campbell <fraser-Txk5XLRqZ6CsTnJN9+BGXg at public.gmane.org> uttered:

> I saw that, either it is a joke or the USPTO is the joke.
> 
> Oh well the good news is that apt-get uses http or ftp not the "world
> wide web".  apt-get doesn't involve any transmission to "remote
> storage medium", it works by pulling not pushing.

Good point, though I was being facetious. It does just add another point
in favour of demolishing the idea of patents the way the exist today,
insofar as they are so out-of-step with the current technological mode.

> It sounds like they're trying to patent things like Netscape 4.5's
> roaming access.  If they went much further they'd be claiming a patent
> on thin clients.

If they went just a little further they'd be doing what BT tried to do
awhile back, claim they own the rights to the "hyperlink". 

I think I'm going to submit a patent on "writing" (process for
recording information on a static medium using an ink-tipped stylus),
I'll let you know how it goes. 

-- 
JoeHill
Registered Linux user #282046
Homepage: www.orderinchaos.org
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