XPost: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy, alt.os.linux, alt.conspiracy   
   XPost: alt.windows   
   From: @   
      
   On 01 Aug 2004 18:03:48 EDT, Gary V. Deutschmann, Sr.   
    wrote:   
      
   > Impossible!   
   >   
   > In order to apply for a patent it had to be done within 1 year of   
   > inception.  Double clicking has been around for decades!   
   >   
   > There is also the matter of "Prior-Art", double clicking is   
   > 'prior-art'!   
   >   
   > Regardless of what is stated in the description ONLY the claims   
   > themselves are enforceable, the claims 'claim' what is actually   
   > patented.   
   >   
   > If they did get such a patent, I would love to see what the CLAIMS say   
   > is really patented!  As they probably won't apply at all to double   
   > clicking using a mouse, telephone switch or anything else that has   
   > been in use for decades.   
   >   
   > TTUL   
   > Gary   
   >   
      
      
   It should be impossible but US patent law has gone down the   
   tubes. There is prior art since at least 1976+ when Zerox   
   PARC started developing windowing and mouse systems.   
      
   The patent is for "using a single button to launch apps by a   
   combination of long, short, or double clicks" and apparently   
   is limited to handheld (limited capability) devices, not   
   desktops or laptops (thank god).   
   --   
   dg   
      
   Do you really want to delete Windows? (Y/Y)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)