*BUT* all this does make sense to me on at least one level: Atari patented the custom chips. What happens in the patent process is if you or someone else releases the information in the patent before it is granted, the application is denied. The ANTIC creators, Jay Miner Et Al, were granted the patent in 1981.Actually, the limitation is that the patent application must be *filed* prior to public disclosure.
AFAIK the US is unique: you can file a US patent application up to one year AFTER the "public disclosure". And also selling the patented object
starts the clock even without any publications. -Alex who is NOT a lawyer.