what is the opinion here on the NTP/RIM problem ?

[Peter]

Imho there was nothing that anybody could invent (let alone patent) in 
1990 that would cover any technology used in electronic messaging. At 
least the following precedents existed at the time (and were well 
known and in common use):

- military and civilian teletype (telex) machines coupled to wireless 
radio links, forming networks for the purpose of sending, receiving, 
archiving and forwarding of messages.

- BBS systems and data transmission systems widely used by military, law 
enforcement and radio amateurs, on all wavelengths, including sattelite 
based store/forward (Oscar ham radio sattelites among others). Same used 
both for online chatting, one to one or party mode, and store and 
forward, as well as for addressed messages. Same used to transfer images 
and other data (like software and sounds) coded into the protocol.

- handheld and man-portable terminals for these activities, used mainly 
by law enforcement and also to a lesser extent by amateurs (due to 
cost).

- most of the connections made as above were using packet switched data 
networks over the air.

- data compression was used widely (at the level possible with 8 bit 
cpus)

WHAT could one patent in 1990 that would not be covered by these 
precedents ?!

Peter


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