Re: No longer free to write your own software either

["**** ****" <***@***.com>]

Arkain wrote in message <39bcf6ee$1@hal.grnco.net>...
>Thia is a real Pandora's Box, that I knew thy would open but wish they
>didn't. Unless I'm mistaken, this case has set the prescident that entity B
>cannot produce a "clean-room" clone of software written and/or copyrighted
>by entity A. Does this mean we will get to see Claris(or whoever bought
them
>out) sue Corel & Microsoft over the right to produce text-based word
>processors? This may seem inane, but since MS Word is directly derived from
>the source code of the original text-based version...


While I'm not psychic, I'd say the answer is definitely no to word
processors. That would get laughed out of court (though not so much on
merit, more so because M$ has lots of bribe money).

Video games? Hmm. No, at least not towards Namco and what not, this is a
tactic to use against the little guy.

M$ vs. Borland? Yes, I can see this happening, but it's 50-50. If and when
they do, they'll lump other things in, patent claims, and things even more
esoteric than compiler optimization routines.

What will it be used for then? Smaller fringe markets, especially new ones.
More than anything though, against freeware/shareware. Mind you, it's not a
conspiracy to destroy free software, but they'll bumble along in that
direction anyway, almost by instinct.

Stuff that's immediately relevant to you though, Arkain? I'd say that
clean-rooming ROMs will become really dangerous.

Thanks,
John