[linux-audio-dev] [Fwd: Graphical dataflow programs violate patents]

[Dave Robillard]

On Wed, 2004-15-12 at 11:27 +0100, Jens M Andreasen wrote:
> On ons, 2004-12-15 at 00:11 -0500, Dave Robillard wrote:
> 
> > Om, a modular synth I'm working on, absolutely "infringes" on that
> > patent as well.  The code that would be considered infringing is an
> > elementary graph-traversal, very similar to a DFS (depth-first search)
> > algorithm you'd learn in any second-year computer science program.  No
> > kidding you can't execute a node if it's dependencies aren't run!
> > Geeze..
> 
> Actually, the patent is not on graph-traversal as such, but on graph-
> traversal in context with virtual instrumentation having some kind of
> adjustable front-panel on screen ... It is a "methods" patent that only
> applies when all the ingredients are in place. The prior art shown in
> court was overturned in part because it did not use windows and mouse.

Well, this patent is dated 1986.  I'm pretty sure Max existed in some
form or another before then, right?

Anyway, if they ever were to attack any sort of music application, I'm
sure Native Instruments (Reaktor) and Cycling 74 (Max/MSP) might have
something to say about it. :)


-DR-