On 3/2/07, Nick Copeland <nickycopeland@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
If Microsoft patent any capabilities that are present in the ALSA codestream them ALSA itself is exempt from the patent. This is written into the patent laws, they cover the possibliity that somebody had a product that was later patented by some other, wiser party. If the company in potential infringment can prove prior implementation then they are exempt.
Prior art doesn't exempt the first implementor, it invalidates the patent, at least in the US. Lee
