Author Topic: Patent software and sims multiplayer (Read 1048 times)

Mini D · « **Reply #30 on:** July 20, 2003, 10:26:37 AM »

By the way... do not be dismissive about this issue. Bill Stealy does have a leg to stand on here. The courts are somewhat umbiguous when it comes to the contract honoring side of the house (even if iEN didn't make their payments... the courts could overlook that) but are somewhat strict on the patent infringement side of the house. The case is strong enough that some serious court time would be required to resolve the issue.

MiniD

Nash · « **Reply #31 on:** July 20, 2003, 11:40:44 AM »

Absolutely.

Correct me if I'm wrong anyone... Did I see in that other thread (or does anyone know)... I thought I saw someone post that HT no longer even uses that particular code in AH. So... while I suppose Bill could wrangle away the patent and make some money if he's successful, it's not as if it could cause serious trouble to HTC. Do I have that right?

Mini D · « **Reply #32 on:** July 20, 2003, 12:06:50 PM »

I suppose the code is different... but you don't patent code. You patent a method for implimentation. If the method is the same... there is going to be problems.

It's not a cut and dry scenario... that's for sure.

MiniD

Roscoroo · « **Reply #33 on:** July 20, 2003, 01:28:44 PM »

Lets see... As a example ... Im a big company i've been losing money and i cant buy anymore toys,,, ive sold all my stock at 50% value .(which is now worthless) Ive got debtors climbing all over me. I cant afford to pay my employee's ( hmmm perhaps i'll offer them more stock. ) ... I need $$$ to pay off my beach house in the canary's... (hmmm well Hell Lets sue some people ,,,Perhaps they'll settle out of court,,, befor the judge realizes im full of it)
sooo if this works I get to run off to my beach house W/my mistresses sisters sister. Woohooo.
.....Gets phone book out.....
(now lets see crooked lawyers that work for contingency )

Dnil · « **Reply #34 on:** July 20, 2003, 04:11:47 PM »

problem could be hosing HTC in legal bills. Tie them up and drain them dry, then no competition. Wonder if HT's RV8 is paid for yet?

Mini D · « **Reply #35 on:** July 20, 2003, 04:24:16 PM »

Actually Dnil... I don't know that iEN has the finances to do that. That's usually the tactics of a larger company with a smaller one.

It will definately cost HTC money and definately slow things down a bit. The court really decides the rest.

Dnil · « **Reply #36 on:** July 20, 2003, 04:48:16 PM »

but if Ien has the lawyers on contigency then it doenst matter how much money they have. Thats what worries me.

Dingbat · « **Reply #37 on:** July 20, 2003, 04:53:35 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dowding
Thankyou sikboy.

BTW, I had an interview for position as a trainee patent attorney last week - I researched this in case they asked me to demonstrate my interest in current IP issues.

Dowding, Can I ask where you applied? I work as a contractor supporting their in-house application servers, in Crystal City, VA.

Mini D · « **Reply #38 on:** July 20, 2003, 05:09:39 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dnil
but if Ien has the lawyers on contigency then it doenst matter how much money they have. Thats what worries me.

That depends... if there is no case... contigency is not really an issue since its not likely they'll be collecting... and HTC isn't big enough to play some kind of "they'll pay us just to make us go away" game. The pieces just don't add up for that.

I'm trying to find the logic in Bill's move here and I don't see any. All I can see is some kind of last ditch effort to make a buck... at the cost of throwing everything left over into it. My biggest worry is that mr. stealy will turn it into a personal vendetta and continue long after WB has seen its end.

MiniD

DocDoom · « **Reply #39 on:** July 20, 2003, 08:16:03 PM »

Hortlund.

You are completely correct. It is magic.

majic · « **Reply #40 on:** July 20, 2003, 09:17:31 PM »

That's spelled m-a-j-i-c...

Vulcan · « **Reply #41 on:** July 20, 2003, 09:59:49 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Mini D
That depends... if there is no case... contigency is not really an issue since its not likely they'll be collecting... and HTC isn't big enough to play some kind of "they'll pay us just to make us go away" game. The pieces just don't add up for that.

I'm trying to find the logic in Bill's move here and I don't see any. All I can see is some kind of last ditch effort to make a buck... at the cost of throwing everything left over into it. My biggest worry is that mr. stealy will turn it into a personal vendetta and continue long after WB has seen its end.

MiniD

Who says HTC is the only company thats being targeted?

Mini D · « **Reply #42 on:** July 20, 2003, 10:38:11 PM »

I look at the companies that might be targetted, and none of them are in any different position.

MiniD

Dowding · « **Reply #43 on:** July 21, 2003, 03:19:02 AM »

Dingbat - a small private firm in Derby - in the UK.

hitech · « **Reply #44 on:** July 21, 2003, 09:37:32 AM »

The rumors are correct.

IEN Servered us with papers Thursday when I was at the con.

And we have never used the method describied in the pattent.

HiTech