Messages in this thread | | | Date | Mon, 21 Dec 1998 13:02:52 +1300 | From | Chris Wedgwood <> | Subject | Re: Article: IBM wants to "clean up the license" of Linux |
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On Sun, Dec 20, 1998 at 04:46:49PM +0000, Alan Cox wrote:
> In the current world trade secrets are less evil than patents.
In theory, yes, but in practice, I don't think it helps.
For example, take RC4 -- it was a trade secret, reverse engineered and make available to the public.
Now that its public knowledge, RSA/DSI claim its patented and will sue you if you use it -- do you have enough $ and lawyers to fight them off. (You can't use the 'word' RC4 either).
The real problem isn't the patent system -- its the entire US legal system, and its only getting worse.
-cw
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