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3D Games Patent Threatens Industry?

Posted by Zonk on from the i-don't-think-this-is-going-to-fly dept.

Castar writes "Recently Advanced Video Graphics (AVG) sued several game publishers for infringing on their patent on "Method and Apparatus for Spherical Panning". Since this affects almost every 3D video game, the International Game Developers Association sent out a call for prior art in their monthly newsletter. An industry lawyer has also done an overview of the issue here. I would think lots of CAD software produced before 1983 would invalidate the patent."

2 of 76 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Patents are really out of hand. by shaitand · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think that patents should require a working physical invention be sent to he patent office again.

    To fix the warehousing problem they simply do not keep the inventions, instead they keep a series of digital images on each device that can be reviewed later.

    Damn, too bad you couldn't patent software anymore if you had to send a physical invention eh?

  2. Re:What is going on?b by Doug-W · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Unless I'm missreading this, isn't this patent about to expire?

    United States Patent 4,734,690
    Waller March 29, 1988

    If it was granted 3/29/88 and is 17 years in length, one could write code based on it starting Weds and not need to worry. I guess that's why they're filing suit now, been waiting for the maximum number of violations.