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From: Geoff Bull <geoff@research.canon.com.au>
Subject: Re: Decoding an octet stream
Date: 1999/12/01
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 <81u247$kc3$1@hobbes2.crc.com> <821rc5$bim$1@nnrp1.deja.com>
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Date: 1999-12-01T04:28:36+00:00
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Robert Dewar wrote:
> 
> In article <81u247$kc3$1@hobbes2.crc.com>,
>   "David C. Hoos, Sr." <david.c.hoos.sr@ada95.com> wrote:
> > Here's a package I use for just that purpose.  All two- and
> four-byte
> > scalar types used in network packets have their 'read and
> 'write
> > attributes overridden by instances of these generic
> procedures.
> 
> David, doesn't this infringe on the patent, or has 17
> years gone by now (I have not kept track, the patent holder
> is I believe Mark Williams).
> 
What patent? (searching for in/williams gets > 7000 hits!)
I guess a patent number is a bit much to expect, 
but can you provide some keywords to search for,
or say which aspects of David's package may infringe?

Also, don't patents now expire 20 years from the filing date
rather than 17 years from the grant date?