[Gllug] Gates in Europe today pushing software patents

[salsaman]

John G Walker wrote:

>On Fri, 10 Nov 2006 11:49:56 +0000 John Hearns
><john.hearns at streamline-computing.com> wrote:
>
>  
>
>>Richard Jones wrote:
>>    
>>
>>>Right - the people who invented the first processors, networks, etc.
>>>patented everything, and that really helped.  
>>>      
>>>
>>Not just the first processors/networks, but the concept of HTML and
>>the Web. Doubtless oddles of patents on HTML etc.
>>But my point stands - HTML/Web released into the public domain,
>>spreads like wildfire.
>>If it were patented and licensed, it would have been licensed to act
>>as an add-on to Digital Vax and Digital Unix computers. It would be a 
>>historical curio today.
>>    
>>
>
>There's actually evidence that your supposition is correct.
>
>The essential core of the web (what makes it world-wide) is the idea of
>running hyperlinks across the internet. According to Tim Berners-Lee,
>he wasn't the first person to develop the idea. A private company had
>created a system that did this back in the early 1980s, but they
>charged a fee for its use. And, as you predicted (or postdicted), it
>died the death. I've even forgotten the name of the company, though
>Berners-Lee gives it,
>
>  
>


Don't forget the BT supposed-patent on hyperlinks, which almost ruined 
everything.

Gabriel.

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