Thanks Jay...I'm now going to do the following...
I will retrieve copies of all his software patents. The full text will probably be too large to post here, but I will try to post highlights. I'm most interested in #5,564,108 (Non-invasive software update apparatus), particularly since it was granted very recently.
Software patents are funny things - from my understanding, the patent office has been granting quite a few without doing proper review due to a lack of manpower and expertise in computer software. Many of these patents have later been thrown out. We first need to determine if Mr. Chiang's technology is truly unique and if it will hold up to a challenge; we then need to determine its potential value in regards to solving some of these date conversion problems.
I happen to have an acquaintance named Peter Avritch who now runs a small software company in Los Angeles. Mr. Avritch was involved in (I think it was the first) successful challenge to a software patent (#5,105,184). I'll try to get in touch with him, and hopefully gain a little insight into what constitutes a frivolous software patent.
As far as the inherent value of the technology, I will arrange to have several of my friends and colleagues in the industry do a once over and throw in their 2 cents. We can also debate its merits here.
If anyone else can get copies of the patents faster, or already has copies, I'd appreciate if you could email me; otherwise, I'll keep you all posted as soon as I find out anything. |
