H.G.Muller: FRC Winboard_F castle.

[pedrox]

Now it seems it is OK.

Thanks

[pedrox]

That advantages you have with the patent on Gotic Chess in the USA?

I am free to do a program that plays such a variant on Winboard_F?

If so, this program can be commercial in the USA?

Pedro

[hgm]

I think you are always free to use patented equipment manufactured by someone else, provided you obtained it legally. Patenting only restricts the manufacturing and distribution of materials covered by the patent.

The Gothic Chess patent covers playing of Gothic Chess, i.e. what engines do. Ed Trice and I agreed that a GUI is basically just a display aid, and is not covered by the patent anymore than, say, your video driver or your flat-screen monitor.

So it is the authors of Gothic-Chess engines that have to apply for a license with Ed. Currently his policy for non-commercial engines is very liberal: the license fee is only $1 per year (or $25 for a perpetual license). This allows you to host a version of the engine on your website for download (which you can update), provided it prints the license message. Anyone that downloads it, can then use it for free.

Ed, correct me if I am wrong!

[GothicChessInventor]

I think you are always free to use patented equipment manufactured by someone else, provided you obtained it legally. Patenting only restricts the manufacturing and distribution of materials covered by the patent.

The Gothic Chess patent covers playing of Gothic Chess, i.e. what engines do. Ed Trice and I agreed that a GUI is basically just a display aid, and is not covered by the patent anymore than, say, your video driver or your flat-screen monitor.

So it is the authors of Gothic-Chess engines that have to apply for a license with Ed. Currently his policy for non-commercial engines is very liberal: the license fee is only $1 per year (or $25 for a perpetual license). This allows you to host a version of the engine on your website for download (which you can update), provided it prints the license message. Anyone that downloads it, can then use it for free.

Ed, correct me if I am wrong!

That's basically correct, for engines that will not be sold. If it is for sale, I just ask for a 7.5% "royalty" and to list it for sale at GothicChess.com

[GothicChessInventor]

That advantages you have with the patent on Gotic Chess in the USA?

I am free to do a program that plays such a variant on Winboard_F?

If so, this program can be commercial in the USA?

Pedro

The idea behind the patent is NOT to stop people from playing and/or programming the game, but to prevent predatory companies (say the chess equivalent of Micro$oft) from coming in and taking over your entire domain.

Look at Netscape, who basically invented internet browsing, then what Miscrosoft tried to do to them.

The licenses are cheap and the 7.5% royalty is a much better deal than you will ever get with, say, a wholesaler or other distributor. Companies like QVC and Target and WallMart take 50% right off the top!