IPFilter Infriging on Bay Network Patent?

jorhan writes "Darren Reed, the author of IPFilter, recently posted this message to the IPFilter mailing list. Apparently IPFilter may infringe upon USA patents owned by Bay Networks, specifically, #5790554. The patent might seem to own just about every conceivable way one might wish to filter and forward data packets, but trying to read through all of the "wherein said first condition" started to give me a headache (ObIANAL). But when you read what application the authors specifically had in mind, it really has little to do with network layer firewalling. Even more important is the question Darren's mail indirectly poses, "Anyone know of any prior art?""

Comments

a day in the life of IT

[Vodak]

I have seen the enemy and it is us... and we attack with a sea of legal papers which will kill us with paper cuts

LawerSpeak

[Tablizer]

(* The patent might seem to own just about every conceivable way one might wish to filter and forward data packets, but trying to read through all of the "wherein said first condition" started to give me a headache *)

Laywers should learn how to clean up their source code.

For one, they should give clauses names or ID's. Then they can have phrases like:

"If ($trans and $horgton) or $rollsNice or $tamper5 or ($beforeExpire7 and $gasoline) then coveredUnderStateStatute("Nebraska", 43726)"

Re:Patent Patent Process

[Anonymous Coward]

I hereby patent the process in said application for said patent thereto and hereforth known as patent submission process where as there is a generally vague and ambiguous definition of said patentable process in said application of section 1 and hereto and thereto and whereto and whoto ad naseum carpe diem magna cum lauder and e pluribus unim.