[XML-DEV Mailing List Archive Home] [By Thread] [By Date] [Recent Entries] [Reply To This Message] RE: Word 2003 schemas available
> > As far as I'm aware, if I find a patented can-opener that > someone has > > carelessly dropped on the pavement, the patent owner has no > right to > > restrict the way in which I use it. > > No. You can look at it, and figure out how it's made, how it > achieves its function, etc. But you cant take that > information and make another one, or tell people how to make > other ones. The patent stops me producing my own product that steals their ideas, but it doesn't stop me using their product in any way I choose. So what does the licence let me do that I couldn't do anyway? Of course it's possible that they have tried to patent not only the can-opener, but the process of using it to open cans. In that case (assuming that any English court upheld such a patent, which is unlikely) I would require a license to use the product in the way it is intended to be used, but not to use it in any other, more imaginative way. I don't think you're correct to imply that a patent inhibits any flow of information. To get a patent, you have to disclose details of your invention and put it in the public domain, and there is no restriction on other people passing that information on. Michael Kay
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