Several years sgo I worked with a client intending to implement an
algorithm which we also found had been patented. The granting of the
patent was surprising, since the algorithm was based on simple and
standard numerical methods. We actually took legal advice, which was
that the patent was almost certainly not enforceable, but the lawyers
also advised us not to use it, as no-one wants the hassle of a court
case even if there is every prospect of eventually winning the battle.
The client decided to use an alternative algorithm instead of the
patented one.
Dr. Les Huson
Consultant Medical Statistician
GNB Limited
http://www.gnblimited.co.uk
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