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Xref: sserve comp.org.eff.talk:9399 comp.unix.bsd:6206 comp.os.mach:2255 misc.int-property:578 comp.sys.mac.advocacy:1168 Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk,comp.unix.bsd,comp.os.mach,misc.int-property,alt.suit.att-bsdi,comp.sys.mac.advocacy Path: sserve!manuel.anu.edu.au!munnari.oz.au!sgiblab!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ucla-cs!oahu.cs.ucla.edu!gast From: gast@oahu.cs.ucla.edu (David Gast) Subject: Compression (Re: Letter asking for help with Apple from the US VP Message-ID: <1992Sep29.220513.3753@cs.ucla.edu> Sender: usenet@cs.ucla.edu (Mr Usenet) Nntp-Posting-Host: oahu.cs.ucla.edu Organization: UCLA, Computer Science Department References: <JTW.92Sep25203600@pmws.lcs.mit.edu> <1992Sep26.163059.24740@rwwa.COM> <29581.Sep2900.20.3792@virtualnews.nyu.edu> Date: Tue, 29 Sep 92 22:05:13 GMT Lines: 32 In article <29581.Sep2900.20.3792@virtualnews.nyu.edu> brnstnd@nyu.edu (D. J. Bernstein) writes: >In article <1992Sep26.163059.24740@rwwa.COM> witr@rwwa.com writes: >In 1984, Miller and Wegman at IBM invented a compression algorithm often >called MW2. At the same time, independently, Welch at Unisys invented a >compression algorithm often called LZW. Both IBM and Unisys filed for, >and received, patents. Surprise: MW2 and LZW are the same algorithm. First, if patent law were being followed correctly, it would be impossible for two patents on the same algorithm. Second, funny that a guy named Welch invented an algorithm called LZW, instead of just W. Third, I suggest the real innovation was done by LZ (Lempel-Ziv). This innovation was not patented. Neither MW/IBM nor LZW/Unisys should have received patents. For that matter, I don't think LZ should either. >Explain how innovation was encouraged here. It was not. The problem is worse because CCCIT requires the use of compression in certain modems. If you want to build a compliant modem, you have to license the two competing patents or face a suit for infringement of patent. Now you may say "Let them sue me, they both can't have this patent", but a successful patent fight costs millions. It's cheaper just to pay and be "protected" from suit. Innovation is not encouraged; it is retarded. David