[geeks] Doorbells

[der Mouse]

> If the instructor asked you to implement a compression algorithm and
> you "invented" LZW out of ignorance of the existng patent, you would
> be fine (IMHO, IANAL, etc.) - ignorance is a valid defense (AFAIK, I
> think it is in US Tax law, anyway, since even the IRS can't give
> consistent advice ;^).

Tax law, maybe.  Patent law, no, I believe independent invention is no
defense (though it may be grounds for getting an existing patent
overturned for obviousness).  You may be confusing it with copyright
law, which does recognize independent creation.

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