203.214.40.79: Legalities of Go (my thoughts) - from "Rank on Go servers" (2015-02-15 17:59) [#5088]

from: http://senseis.xmp.net/?RankOnGoServers

about: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP1854521.html

I had a look at and a read through the patent link that was posted. From what I can gather, the patent isn't for a new or improved way of ranking... but the whole internet go ranking system itself. Unless this patent is older than IGS, KGS, Pandanet or Dragon Go server, I see it as an attempt to steal away a current system being used. The wording isn't all that broad enough for a serious patent application.. i.e: stating maximum number of players as 2 (what about rengo?) I think it is amazing that someone wasted their time and money to try to retrospectively get royalties. How would they enforce this? My guess is that although this patent isn't fully legal -- it blocks genuine patient applications for an improved system. Due to the fact that since a patient already applies, legal procedings need to be taken to remove such road block. This takes time and money and can be seen by professionals as a path not worth taking. It's funny how a simple patent (although useless as it is) prevents people using applied ideas rather than sharing them (which is truthfully what patents are all about).

- Mystery Go Player

Polama: ((no subject)) (2015-02-16 16:54) [#10402]

With a patent, you have to violate an entire claim. Although the patent describes in detail what a computer go system is, the relevant bit is having asymmetric cut offs for promotion/demotion. You're allowed to run go servers without that, or to use this promotion system at, say, a local club. It's only this promotion scheme on online go that's protected.

I don't know anything about the European Patent System, so I can't comment on whether it would hold up to a challenge. At the very least, I can't imagine there's enough money in go servers to make a lawsuit worth while for either side. But if you're building a go server it probably makes sense not to implement asymmetric promotion/demotion lines, just in case.