CompuServe Thread

#Don't you dare…

11 messages in this thread
#36412From: Paul ToalDec 8, 1993 4:20 AM
With christmas coming up I'm sure there are folks looking for PC stuff for friends and family. In the search please remember that there is a boycott against all Compton's products. Why? If you dare use multimedia, like play a sound while running an animation you have to pay Comptons for the privelage. You see, they invented multimedia and own the patent. Then they had the gall to strong arm the owners of Multimedia Forum by law suit to have the sysops delete all messages that ridiculed the little thieves (Comptons). Oh yeah- And while I'm rambling… May Richard Allen Davis rest in piece. Many little dead pieces. From Petaluma, Calif. merry christmas…. –Paul < Motorola Inside >
#36429From: Mike SchillerDec 9, 1993 12:05 AM
Paul: Do you happen to know the date on their patent? Perhaps if somebody could show an Amiga multimedia program (or presentation) that has an earlier copyright date than their patent it could be declared void? // -Mike Schiller \X/ AMIGA! On AutoPilot in sunny Fort Lauderdale
#36430From: Karl F. KugelDec 9, 1993 2:38 AM
I'm sure they didn't get it prior to the Boing demo in 85. // -Karl \X/ Amiga and Autopilot: The *only* way to fly!
#36431From: Mike SchillerDec 9, 1993 4:06 AM
Karl: Well, I've never seen the Boing demo, but if it fits what is being called MultiMedia now, then their patent isn't worth the paper it's written on! Of course they could try and copyright the name 'MultiMedia', but chances are that it was in use before their patent too, in which case they have legal claim to nothing! (now to find a judge that would agree, and somebody that feels like being a test case!) // -Mike Schiller \X/ AMIGA! On AutoPilot in sunny Fort Lauderdale
#36434From: David Schmitt [Baler]Dec 9, 1993 8:24 AM
The patent isn't for "multimedia", it's for the search and indexing methods that are used in Compton's CD-ROM software. That *hardly* spells the end of multimedia development. There's lots and lots of discs out there that have nothing *at all* to do with Compton's patents.
#36449From: Karl F. KugelDec 10, 1993 2:02 AM
>"I've never seen the Boing demo" Gasp! How can this be? Why, the boing demo is part of Amiga history, something that *nothing* available at that long ago time could duplicate. It is a bouncing and rotating (really color cycling) red and white checked ball, with synchronized sound effects. The crowd at the Amiga intro was awed. And it took all of a weekend to program. <G> // -Karl \X/ Amiga and Autopilot: The *only* way to fly!
#36460From: Dale LarsonDec 10, 1993 4:22 PM
>Gasp! How can this be? Why, the boing demo is part of Amiga history Exactly. Not everyone has had an Amiga since 1985. >And it took all of a weekend to program. <G> Yeah, but what Dale Luck can hack together in a weekend (with 2 hours of sleep), many teams of six programmers can't do in a month. — Dale L. Larson, Intangible Assets Manufacturing — INTERNET:dale@iam.com
#36468From: Karl F. KugelDec 11, 1993 1:46 AM
>Yeah, but what Dale Luck can hack together in a weekend (with 2 hours of >sleep), many teams of six programmers can't do in a month. Especially if they're trying to program it on certain Incredibly Boring Machines. <G> But I admit that anyone but DLuck wouldn't have been so fast even on an Amiga. // -Karl \X/ Amiga and Autopilot: The *only* way to fly!
#36683From: John ChangDec 19, 1993 12:52 PM
Really now Dale? I thought your blood was made of coffee, Coca-Cola and tea! Warmest Regards, John Chang Technical/Sales Support Scala, Inc.
#36450From: Wayne ColeDec 10, 1993 3:40 AM
In 1985 I worked for a company that had a "Slideshow" application that played screens, accompanying sound files and dome limited animation. I could use video freezframes input via the video teleconferenceing application and incorporate voice annotatoin. The maind system had n o keyboard and was touch screen driven via an iconic interface. The company was pioneering the "paperless office" concept. Unfortuneatly to cvompany's main owner had provisously owned and sold Ohio Scientific. His main interest was in creating nice demos so he could sell the company and let other people waorry about bring product to market. SO the company bellied up. Fun work though, just a few years too early. wmc – via Autopilot!
#36452From: Paul ToalDec 10, 1993 5:32 AM
This is called "previous art". There are many examples dating back to 1978. –Paul < Motorola Inside >