Microsoft Patents 'IsNot'

[Fredrik Lundh]

Skip Montanaro wrote:
>    >> My guess is Microsoft hopes to discourage Visual Basic knock-offs.  Claim
>    >> 2 clearly seems to restrict the scope to BASIC.
>
>    Neal> Doesn't Python (along with probably every other language ever
>    Neal> invented) display prior art here?
>
> Sure, but maybe there is no such prior art in the BASIC arena.

IIRC, the "inventor" mentioned on his weblog that he didn't come up with the idea
himself; it was suggested by customers.  In other words, the solution clearly wasn't
obvious to the "inventor" himself, since he didn't invent it.  And if it's not obvious,
it can be patented, right?  As chewbacca would say, if it doesn't make sense, you
must patent!

I need coffee.

</F>