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To: JohnG who wrote (10833)	11/21/1999 11:07:00 AM
From: Mike Buckley	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 54805

John, Does GMST have the IP so sewed up that if my Internet site returns a data set=(channel, time, date) to my merged TV/computer appliance, the builders of this appliance cannot use that data set to tune the TV to that channel/time/date without violating GMSTR patents. Stew knows a LOT more about those details than I do, but my understanding is that they don't. Instead, they have a patent on HOW Gemstar delivers and massages the information, the technology they use to deliver it and massage it for the consumers' ease of use. I could be wrong, but my understanding is that a similar analogy would be to the issue of CDMA. Lots of folks can patent innovations to the original CDMA technology. Some have already done it. But Qualcomm is the only company that has successfully been able to get the innovations to consistently work with a degree of functionality and cost that is palatable to the marketplace. My understanding is that Gemstar is in the same boat, which is why they have been so successful at vigilantly protecting their IPR. There will no doubt be others who are successful. But Gemstar's primary patents are in effect for about 6 - 8 years. You and I know what that kind of lead to market does for the long-term prospects of a company. --Mike Buckley

To: JohnG who wrote (10833)	11/21/1999 9:47:00 PM
From: NY Stew	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 54805

JohnG, Does GMST have the IP so sewed up that if my Internet site returns a data set=(channel, time, date) to my merged TV/computer appliance, the builders of this appliance cannot use that data set to tune the TV to that channel/time/date without violating GMSTR patents. Note, I am hypothasising that the TV as we know it ceases to exist. It becomes a PC with a TV feature. Does the Stephens report answer this. I an also assuming that set top boxes cease to exist---just why are they needed? May I suggest that you look up and research the Gemstar patents. It is better than asking questions and relying on someone else's answer. Personally, I believe no one. I spend hours looking for a single answer. Sometimes days. Regards Stew