Re: GGI Project Unhappy On Linux

Chris Adams (cadams@ro.com)
5 Apr 1998 15:51:17 GMT

According to Jordan Mendelson <jordy@wserv.com>:
>[this is way offtopic]
>
>The patent on the Coca-Cola recipe expired years ago (last I checked there
>was an 18 year cap on patents in the US). This is why things like
>Diffie-Hellman algorithms are now free, you can not issue another patent on
>them because they are considered "mainstream". (In fact, I believe the
>formula for coca-cola was leaked a number of years ago and printed in a
>major daily newspaper).

Wrong.

The formula for Coca-Cola has never been patented, because then it would
be made public. When you patent something, it is published. Think
about it: how else could people know if they are infringing?

The formula for Coca-Cola is a trade secret. If it is ever "leaked",
then whoever leaked it will be in big trouble, but once it is public,
anyone can use it.

I don't think you can patent something like a recipie, either.

-- 
Chris Adams - cadams@ro.com
System Administrator - Renaissance Internet Services
I don't speak for anybody but myself - that's enough trouble.


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