from Hacker News

Shaped Compact Disk

by laurensr on 12/11/22, 12:46 PM with 2 comments

  • by NickRandom on 12/11/22, 5:48 PM

    I was interested to read that there was a patent on 'non-round Compact Disks' but when you go to the actual patent application (https://patents.google.com/patent/US5844757) the patent states "...The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reading and writing information on a stand alone magnetic card or disk typically adapted for use in standard three and one-half inch computer floppy disk drives." Note: I highlighted the magnetic part since Compact Disks are optical rather than magnetic. Not a patent lawyer but I'ld take my chances on not paying any royalty fees.

    I guess that's why these days patents tend to be so broad and use language like "any and all means (present and future) of doing thing 'X' "

  • by dredmorbius on 12/11/22, 1:04 PM

    Fond memories of the LNX-BBC.

    Whose former domain, I hasten to add, now concerns other types of soft wares and is NSFW.