[Dri-devel] Re: Neverwinter Nights // Radeon (R100)?

[Mike A. H. <mh...@re...>]

On Tue, 8 Apr 2003, Dan wrote:

>>You are missing one big drawback, however.  Textures look really poor
>>due to the fact that S3TC textures can't be used in the game.
>>
>>Something really needs to be done about this lack of S3TC in the DRI
>>drivers.
>
>Yes. I have an idea on this. How about I tip off S3 that we ARE 
>implementing S3TC in the DRI and wait for a couple of weeks to see if 
>they start investigating? We'll find out if they're serious about 
>enforcing their patent then...

Very unlikely.  A much more likely scenario is that there would 
be zero response, and continue to be zero response - until it 
actually was implemented, and some major OS vendor shipped the 
code in an OS product.  At some point in time possibly years 
later, then would be a good time to sue the OS vendor for damages 
due to IP infringement.  The actual people who implemented the 
code would most likely go unharmed.

That is much more realistic as to how IP works with open source
software.  Of course, in lieu of official permission in writing
to use the patented technology with redistribution rights, any
smart OS vendor would rip out the offending patent encumbered 
code, or rip out the piece of offending software entirely.

That is much closer to reality than expecting to strongarm a 
patent holder as you suggest.


-- 
Mike A. Harris     ftp://people.redhat.com/mharris
OS Systems Engineer - XFree86 maintainer - Red Hat