[mapserver-users] Patent Challenge

[Stephen Woodbridge]

I would also look at every client/server CAD/CAM system because that is
exactly what they did to one degree or an other. IBM CADAM, Intergraph,
Computervision, Applicon, there was also a couple of UK based CAD/CAM
systems the names escape me at the moment. I worked at Computervision
for 17.5 yrs so I may be able to come up with some other references if
you need them. Let me know off list.

-Stephen Woodbridge

Ed McNierney wrote:
> 
> Having been CTO several times and responsible for a few software patent
> portfolios, this appears, at first reading, to be a foolishly-granted
> patent.  In brief, the "invention" consists of themes and variations on
> a client computer generating requests to a map server for a map and an
> information server for icon/overlay data and then displaying the
> "information" on top of the "map" at the client.
> 
> If you're looking for prior art, please don't limit your search to
> INTERNET mapping systems, since the invention is not Internet-specific.
> It claims the invention of any sort of client/server mapping system of
> this style.  I would recommend you look into the products ESRI was
> selling starting in the 1970s.  This was CERTAINLY available in a pretty
> obvious form in the release of ArcSDE, which also predates 1995.
> 
>         - Ed
> 
> Ed McNierney
> Chief Mapmaker
> TopoZone.com
> ed at topozone.com
> (978) 251-4242
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: imap at chesapeake.net [mailto:imap at chesapeake.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2002 1:57 PM
> To: mapserver-users at lists.gis.umn.edu
> Subject: [mapserver-users] Patent Challenge
> 
> Hello,
> 
> I am forwarding this to the list on behalf of Overton Mapping
> concerning interactive GIS systems that pre-dates August 1995.
> He was aware of development of the Tiger Map Server (Plewe,Stuber)
> in 1995 and Xerox Parc Map Server (Putz) 1993, which we are responding
> to.  Specifically they are interested to learn about early systems that
> conform to a client-server model.  If anyone has information about other
> 
> early systems that meet this criteria, please forward relevant
> information
> to Overview Mapping <info at overmap.co.uk>
> 
> -Chris
> 
> > Gents
> >
> > We are a UK company facing a legal challenge from www.multimap.com who
> > claim to have patented interactive GIS mapping. Your early work seems
> > to suggest that they were not the first as they claim. I have attached
> > a zip file containing the fundamentals of the patent which I wonder if
> > you could look at.  If you have evidence that your work pre-dated Aug
> > 95 ( the submission date ) I would be most grateful for information.
> > This patent could affect the entire GIS community & your assistance is
> > most appreciated.
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Andrew Overton
> >
> > Overview Mapping Ltd