[mythtv-users] "Odometer" Threads

[Jon]

On Feb 6, 2008, at 8:49 AM, Brian Wood wrote:

> Mike Perkins wrote:
>
>>>
>> Those of us not in the U.S. of A. might not care as much, of  
>> course. Since
>> nobody actually stated a country on their entry, it might be less  
>> than trivial
>> to work out exactly whom any alledged patents might apply to.
>
> Good point, most countries will not grant patents on the obvious,  
> or for
> software at all.
>
> But a large showing, might establish a prima facie case for  
> "irreparable
> harm", and lead to the granting of an injunction. It wouldn't be  
> hard to
> establish that a significant portion of the users were in the USA,  
> even
> if you couldn't identify precisely which ones.
>
> Tivo might actually show a profit if they could squeeze a royalty from
> every Myth user :-)
>
> But as I said, it pains me that I have become so cynical and/or  
> paranoid.

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)

~Jon