Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Gorilla and King Portfolio Candidates -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Sam Johnson who wrote (15113)	1/14/2000 12:50:00 AM
From: Uncle Frank	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 54805

You're a quick study, Sam; I think you nailed it. There are several ways for a Gorilla to erect high barriers against competition. Intel and Microsoft offer striking examples of different approaches. Sir Dancelot believes Intel isn't a Gorilla since they licensed their patents, but practical measurement convinces me they are. What "mere" King has maintained such high market share, gross margins, revenue growth, and architectural control over such a long period? uf

To: Sam Johnson who wrote (15113)	1/14/2000 1:08:00 AM
From: Mike Buckley	Respond to of 54805

Sam, My previous response to you tapped my knowledge. And I won't know that it was totally accurate until I get a response about my analogy from those more in the know. I'll defer to others about the fine distinctions you mention about patents and source codes. --Mike Buckley

To: Sam Johnson who wrote (15113)	1/14/2000 9:44:00 AM
From: DownSouth	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 54805

Sam, there is one more way to protect software. You copyright the source code, just like a book. So if someone gets their little hands on the code, they cannot use it for their own purposes. In fact, I believe the courts have ruled that if you wish to duplicate the functionality of a piece of software, you must do so without the benefit of seeing the source code. In fact, the "look and feel" of software may be protected with copyrights. (Lawyers, jump in here!)