[Fsfe-ie] patents letter stuff

[Justin Mason]

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Ian Clarke writes:
>Ciaran O'Riordan wrote:
>> I'd like to be able to point out that all software innovations that have
>> pushed society forward, are patent-free.  So what other examples are there?
>
>I think it would be easier to think of the software innovations that
>pushed society forward that *weren't* patent free.
>
>RSA and LZW are the only two widespread algorithms for which patents
>existed yet which still received widespread usage that I can think of
>off the top of my head.  Effectively alternatives were found for both
>until their patents expired.

Plus they were free to use in areas where their patents did not apply --
such as Europe!  Very handy for Baltimore, I would have thought.

- --j.
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