Re: ANN: bitmap shape capture for 8-bit graphics

[Greg Buchner <apple22@mn.rr.com>]

In article <RYkxf.6863$%W1.6228@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net>,
 BluPhoenyx <bluphoenyx-@-earthlink.net> wrote:

> Greg Buchner wrote:
> > In article <1137027687.240239.166720@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
> >  aiiadict@gmail.com wrote:
> > 
> >> Now I feel like a software criminal
> > 
> > Wouldn't the patent have expired by now?
> > 
> > Filing date: 1982-10-07
> > Publication date: 1985-11-26
> > 
> > 20 years now, used to be 17, right anyone?
> 
> 
> Patent Duration
> Utility patents expire 20 years from the date of filing with the U. S. 
> Patent & Trademark Office, if maintenance fees are paid. Plant and 
> design patents do not require maintenance fees. Design patents expire 14 
> years from grant. A patent cannot be renewed. After a patent expires, 
> anyone may use the invention without the inventor's permission.

Well, I suppose then it's good that Disney can't patent Mickey Mouse.  
We'd be stuck with patents that go on forever, like Copyrights seem to 
be doing...

Greg B.

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