[mythtv-users] "Odometer" Threads

[Michael T. Dean]

On 02/06/2008 08:49 PM, Gabe Rubin wrote:
> On Feb 6, 2008 5:44 PM, Jon <jon.the.wise.gdrive at gmail.com> wrote:
>> As I understand it, in order to be infringing on a patent, you have
>> to have a retail product that you are making profits off of. I
>> believe that personal, not for profit, use is allowed under US patent
>> law (but I'm not a lawyer, so don't take my word)
> Incorrect.  See 35 USC Sec. 271 ("whoever without authority makes,
> uses, offers to sell, or sells any patented invention, within the
> United States or imports into the United States any patented invention
> during the term of the patent therefor, infringes the patent.").
>   

So make sure you never direct a laser pointer toward the floor or wall 
in the vicinity of a cat...

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5443036.html

(One of the very few patents I've actually read because I don't see 
myself ever infringing the patent, even unknowingly--which is a very 
different story from /all/ software patents and many technology patents, 
in general.)

> Just making a patented device without authorization, even if you never
> show anyone, is infringement.  There is a question of how much damages
> could actually be recovered, but it is infringement.  This is not to
> be taken as legal advice though.

I'd almost like to get sued for infringing the "laser cat exerciser" 
patent just to see what the damages claim would be.

Mike