19 Apr
2004
19 Apr
'04
2:08 p.m.
On Monday 19 April 2004 20:48, ben franchuk wrote:
Michael Sokolov wrote:
If the patents took 6 years after being registered to be accepted (a
relatively long time), and they're enforcable for 17 years, that means
that any significant VAX pantents (which would/should have been applied
for no later than the VAX-11/780's release in 1977) would have expired
in 2000. I think it's safe to assume that VAX and PDP-11 patents would
have expired.
Don't forget how old the VAX and -11 are, relative to how long patents
last. As well, anything newer than that would likely be on things like
chipset architecture, or CPU implementation details, which would be
nearly useless to bother following when implementing a modernized
version of the CPU. As well, DEC wasn't as IP-heavy as someone like
IBM. It was possible/encouraged for third parties to build compatible
hardware when these machines were still being produced.
Pat
--
Purdue University ITAP/RCS --- http://www.itap.purdue.edu/rcs/
The Computer Refuge --- http://computer-refuge.org
The proper way to make a real PDP-11 (or VAX or
any other Classic
computer) available to everyone who wants one is put them back in
FULL PRODUCTION. Not just hobby, but real full production and
commercial sales (for a reasonable commercial price).
How ever does not the PDP-11 and VAX still patents out proventing
them from being cloned?