sicklittlemonkey wrote:
True. Good point. Though one might want to click the "View patents that cite this patent" link: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/REF4555775 .... and check for violation of the 210 related patents! Of course, I'm not being serious. I just remembered that old patent, and thought to point out how crazy it is that such obvious and natural implementations can be patented. So obvious that someone having fun with his computer 20 years (or less) after the fact could accidentally break the law!
Unfortunately, the presumption of novelty and nonobviousness has become the rule at the Patent Office. Too many applications, too few qualified examiners... But there is hope. At least one organization has been filing challenges of the validity of patents that appear to be non-novel and/or obvious. -michael Music synthesis for 8-bit Apple II's! Home page: http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/ "The wastebasket is our most important design tool--and it is seriously underused."