Re: Should we worry about Sun's patents?

[Ralph Baker Kearfott <rbk@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Arnold,

On carefully re-reading your post, I see you said

"I'd like to ask for clarification how/whether the existence of these
patents should affect the standardization procedure."

That is different from "affect whether we obtain a standard" or
"affect cost of implementation of the standard."

I CAN answer the precise question you ask, with "No."  That is,
my belief is that we should proceeding without worrying about
Sun's patents.  That's a job for someone else.  If Sun has
an interest it feels is being countered by the standardization
decisions being made by P-1788, it can direct its representative
on P-1788 to represent Sun accordingly.  We should act
according to our goals, but I suggest we should occasionally
search our own souls to focus precisely on what our own goals
are (especially if we are in academia and not constrained by
commercial interests).

Baker

R. Baker Kearfott wrote:
> Arnold,
>
> I don't know the answer to that.
>
> Baker
>
> Arnold Neumaier wrote:
> > Ralph Baker Kearfott wrote:
> > > And I'd like to relay my own opinion that I posted to the
> > > reliable_computing list.  It follows, but first, I'd like
> > > to say that IEEE guidelines (in the call for patents, which
> > > is shortly due to be sent out this month) states roughly that working
> > > groups should not speculate on the validity or strength
> > > of patents in their discussions.
> >
> > I'd like to ask for clarification how/whether the existence of these
> > patents should affect the standardization procedure, in which way the 
> > (non)existence and/or contents of Letters of Assurance influences the
> > procedures at the various stages, and whether the Letters of Assurance
> > are open to list members or to the public (e.g. the Reliable Computing 
> > mailing list).
> >
> > This has nothing to do with speculations on the validity or strength
> > of patents, and should therefore be within the boundaries of permitted 
> > discussion.
> >
> >
> > Arnold Neumaier


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R. Baker Kearfott,    rbk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx   (337) 482-5346 (fax)
(337) 482-5270 (work)                     (337) 993-1827 (home)
URL: http://interval.louisiana.edu/kearfott.html
Department of Mathematics, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
(Room 217 Maxim D. Doucet Hall, 1403 Johnston Street)
Box 4-1010, Lafayette, LA 70504-1010, USA
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