[CLUE-Talk] Obtaining software patents of Linux by "large software makers"?

[Jeff Cann]

On Wednesday 27 August 2003 12:04 pm, Kevin Cullis wrote:
> Where do we combat this?

I'm not sure you can simply patent an idea already embodied in a released GPL 
or open source product.  Something about prior art?

Of course, the combination of an inept patent office and the fact that patents 
applied to software is a questionable notion.  In addition, the real problem 
is money to combat patents which were already developed in the GPL.

Jeff