Author: Ed Trice
Date: 07:59:48 01/07/04
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On January 07, 2004 at 10:24:41, Robert Hyatt wrote: >However, this is a game, and the rules are public, so writing a program to play >that game should be perfectly within the internationally accepted patent rules. >However, I'd suggest asking an attorney friend (if you know one) about the >law where you live. Just one clarification is required here. The game is protected under a METHOD patent, which is a little more involved. Just as Monopoly is a game with a method of play (configuration of the board + rules) it could not be infringed upon because the rules are "public". The legal loophole is the "configuration" portion of the method patent. While the rules clearly are public domain, the starting configuration, which was researched and play tested all over the world before it was decided upon -- this is the gule that holds it all in place. I am not interested in becoming a Patent Warlord by any means, and I encourage all who are interested in the programming challenge to give it a try. But PLEASE do me the common courtesy of requesting a license and I assure you in about 99.999% of all cases it will be granted to you.
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