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

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. 

Cheers,
Mike T.