ftp.ee.pdx.edu/2014.02.ftp.ee.pdx.edu.tar/ftp.ee.pdx.edu/pub/lpf/pf1.emailissue

Text File | 1992-11-03 | 34KB | 528 lines

            _______________________________________________________
        |                                                     |
            |       November 1991  -==-  Volume I  Number 1       |
        |                                                     |
        |       PROGRAMMING FREEDOM  -  online edition        |
        |              [e-mail]                 |
        |                                                     |
        |           The Electronic Newsletter of              |
        |        The League for Programming Freedom           |
        | 1 Kendall Sq #143, POBox #9171, Cambridge MA 02139  |
        |  Phone: [phone] (voicemail only-leave your   |
        |address or phone number, and we'll answer your query)|
        |  Editor: Spike R. MacPhee ([e-mail])  |
        |     Reproduction of Programming Freedom via all     |
        |            electronic media is encouraged.          |
        |     To reproduce a signed article individually,     |
        |       please contact the author for permission.     |
        |_____________________________________________________|

              <><><><><>Table of Contents<><><><><>

        Election meeting notice: new location
        X-Windows memorandum --==-- MIT Lab for Computer Science
                   LPF Protests Pike
     Opinion --==-- Bill Kennedy: What LPF Should Be Doing & Editor's reply
      Len Tower's Summer Vacation (?) - Speaking about and for LPF
              A typical RMS speaking tour schedule
      LPF at Fall '91 Comdex --==-- Chris Hofstader, LPF Secretary
     Volunteer requests: speakers and publicity distributors at conferences
     International Patents Treaty --==-- Jack Larsen, LPF President
        LPF Boutique: LPF Tshirts, posters, postcards, and mugs

             <><><><><>LPF Annual Meeting<><><><><>

     The LPF annual meeting will take place at 8pm on Sunday, December 15 in
the 7th floor playroom at 545 Tech Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. <>

              <><><><><>X Window Update<><><><><>

[Because of the importance of this release, we reproduce it in its entirety.]

Memorandum to: Members of the X Consortium September 24, 1991 From: MIT Lab
for Computer Science Subject: U. S. Patent No. 4,555,775 (Pike), Issued to
AT&T on Nov. 26, 1985 for "DYNAMIC GENERATION AND OVERLAYING OF GRAPHIC
WINDOWS"

     In February 1991, AT&T sent letters to MIT and to members of the X
Consortium, notifying the community that the "backing store" functionality
available in the X Window System is an implementation of a patented AT&T
invention, and that consequently, companies or institutions commercially
marketing or internally developing products based on an X Window System
implementation will need a license from AT&T.  Since MIT developed the X
Window System and distributes it widely, we were deeply concerned by AT&T's
action, and we conducted a thorough technical analysis of the patent and
similar window system technology.  MIT also retained counsel to provide us
with an expert legal opinion.  Both our technical analysis and the legal
opinion conclude that AT&T's claim with respect to the X Window System cannot
be sustained.
     Patent #4,555,775 was applied for in 1982 by Robert Pike and issued in
1985 to his employer, Bell Laboratories.  It describes a variation of graphics
drawing algorithms that enables a single display screen to support overlapping
windows, in which several programs can be active simultaneously.  It is our
opinion that this same capability was present in window systems that predated
the Bell Laboratories' work.
     The Bell Laboratories' work, the X Window System, and previous window
systems all use different variants of the same basic methodology (storing
obscured regions of windows as off-screen bit maps).  Both our legal and
technical analyses agree that each of the patent's claims is either so broad
as to have been anticipated by prior art, or so narrow as to apply only to the
`775 patent's specific algorithm and not to the X Window System.
     AT&T has requested the Patent Office to open the `775 patent for
reexamination, which will give AT&T an opportunity to clarify the patent's
claims.  We hope that AT&T will seek there to recognize the contribution of
the work on which it is based while not casting its claims beyond the specific
methodology involved.  MIT is very willing to work with AT&T toward reaching
this goal and is exploring ways in which this can be done.
     From a broader perspective, the confusion over the `775 patent
illustrates the difficulties raised by the increasing number of patents issued
on software technology.  We would welcome the opportunity to join with AT&T,
other companies, and the university community to explore ways to alleviate
these problems.  Software is an area in which prior art is often difficult to
identify and in which obviousness differs significantly from one perspective
to another.  The recent proliferation of software patents is creating pressure
on software developers to seek patent protection for straightforward ideas,
and increasing pressure to claim broad applicability of software patents, well
beyond the scope of any original invention.  These practices introduce a
chilling effect on university research, and they undermine our ability to
pursue ideas in a free and open climate.  In as much as these practices attack
the university's central goals and its obligation to disseminate information,
they are a matter of utmost seriousness to MIT. <>

             <><><><><>LPF protests Pike<><><><><>

     CAMBRIDGE, MA, November 18, 1991 -- Rob Pike, a software designer from
AT&T Bell Labs, expected to deliver an ordinary seminar on his latest research
project.  Instead, he found a room filled with programmers carrying signs to
protest the consequences of his previous project: the AT&T "backing store"
patent which AT&T has used to threaten all the members of the X Consortium,
including MIT itself.
     Of the approximately 80 people present at the talk, about 50 carried
protest signs.  The protestors did not try to interfere with the seminar.
They simply raised their signs as Pike began to speak.  This accomplished the
purpose of making their ire known. <>

               <><><><><>Letter<><><><><>

        Guest Opinion: --==-- by former LPF member Bill Kennedy

     Before I joined up there was some very interesting discussion about LPF
on a mailing list I'm on.  The consensus opinion agreed pretty closely with
the preliminary material I got before I joined.  I'm in complete support of
the philosophy as stated, my consulting practice depends on my being able to
produce unencumbered software tools.
     Once the mailing lists started up the discussions started sounding like
the things I was interested in but quickly deteriorated into stereotypical
usenet style chatter.  It's pretty difficult to enforce decorum when the
transport is a reflector, but I find that the contributors enforce the decorum
if they are sober and professional about what they're trying to talk about.
I'm too old for the kinds of things that the newbies and wannabes are talking
about and I've got (at least I think so) more to lose.  My sole source of
income is my solo consulting practice and I take it very seriously.
     I don't think that you can defeat the [business] suits with
demonstrations and tee shirts.  I think that you do it kind of like you defeat
the problems of discrimination in the workplace.  Discrimination is bad for
business and it doesn't make two hoots which side of the issue you're on.
Discrimination has been around since the Old Testament but it's still bad for
business.  I think that the expropriation of software techniques and the
attendant extortion is bad for business too.  Businesses learn what's bad for
business through education and observation, seldom through legislation and
never from demonstrations and tee shirts...
     The kinds of things that LPF should be doing is educating and persuading.
We don't have a federal, state, or local government that knows beans about the
technological realities and we're not going to teach them or make them
understand as long as the Robert Morris' and Len Roses are their only viewport
into the world where we live and work...
     If I author a book my copyright is limited to the content of the book but
not the size of paper or method of binding.  I'm perfectly free to make
reasonable citations from other intellectual property without infringing on
another copyright.  When you deal with machines that can only count to one
there aren't a whole lot of things as unique as a book, play, song, poem, or
other authored work.  Moreover, the real creativity is in the composite fabric
of the work since its components are pretty well understood and pretty
ordinary.  I vigorously object to any person or organization claiming
copyright to something pretty well understood and pretty ordinary.  When the
system fails and such a copyright is claimed then it is up to the legislature
and courts to remind the claimant their copyright is poppycock.
     We can't depend on our courts or legislatures to do that today because
they are too ignorant.  They can't get any better or smarter unless/until
someone can overcome their ignorance...That's where I thought LPF came in.
This is supposed to be a group of professionals who _do_ understand the curvy
and twisted passages and should be able to explain it so that the suits have
no place to hide.  When the suits have no place to hide and realize what they
are doing is bad for business they'll actually *help* us finish the education
of the courts and legislatures.  This is how I perceive LPF's purpose and
responsibility but what I read is a lot of nit picking and bickering.  There's
a lot of roaring and groaning about things that are 100% peripheral to the
things that affect my livelihood (and theirs too, but they don't seem to feel
it's as crucial as I do)...
     The problems will not get solved with righteous indignation or fist
shaking.  So what's the grey-beard master-old-hacker going to do about it?
I'm going to pretty much proceed as I have been.  When a particularly stupid
piece of legislation is or is about to be introduced I'll write my legislator.
It's a simple curbstone English description of what the bill is as contrasted
with what someone thought they understood when they wrote it.  When someone
infringes on my copyright intellectual property I try to explain what they are
doing and why they shouldn't.  The explanation isn't always as moderate when
it ends as it was when it started but that depends on how ignorant, stubborn,
or dishonest they are.  I've made enough out of one settlement to break me
even on the others I've won (at a net loss) but my former adversaries are
better educated and less likely to infringe again.  Did this intellectual
property contain components and concepts that weren't 100% original?  Of
course they did, but my copyright is on the composite work and that is a very
narrow and easily defined effort.  The creative combination of proven
techniques is the copyright, not the techniques themselves.
     ...If my creative effort produces something that I consider to be of
value then I feel free to protect it to the extent I feel matches its
perceived value.  If nobody agrees with me, then they don't use it and don't
pay for it; I had a mistaken idea of its value, but it's my right to protect
it.  I've contributed my fair share into the public domain and will continue
to do so.  I've also retained copyrights to other material and will continue
to do so.  If some suit thinks that he can intimidate me with a gold seal on a
ribbon saying he "owns" the binary search technique, he's crazy.  If someone
says I should let anyone, willy nilly use my work, he's crazy too.  I'm not
really concerned about the latter but the former has my undivided attention.
     You see, that's what I thought you guys were doing.  It may very well be
that it really *IS* what LPF is doing but I can't see it for the smoke or hear
it for the noise. <>
              internet [e-mail] or ssbn![e-mail]
              uucp {att,cs.utexas.edu,pyramid!daver}!ssbn.wlk.com!bill

                   <><><><><>

     The Editor's reply: Bill, you have to remember that league-tactics is an
all-purpose discussion mailing list for all aspects of software patents and
look-and-feel lawsuits, as well as members' suggestions for activities.  It
is, as you pointed out, an unmoderated list for everyone, not just software
consultants, so we're not surprised that it isn't focused enough on your
specific concerns.  It doesn't report on what the LPF is doing - that's what
this newsletter is for.
     We *are* trying to educate and persuade: a new position paper is coming
out in a future Dr. Dobbs Journal; the Fall '91 Issues in Science and
Technology has six pages on "Why Patents Are Bad for Software" by Garfinkel,
Stallman, & Kapor, and we had a significent presence at Fall Comdex.
     We are also trying to reach the public.  Demonstrations will get 10
seconds of broadcast time because of their visual nature, while position
papers never will.
     LPF is still small; we want programmers to tell other programmers to join
and tell other [iterate]... so that we can get large enough to affect
legislative efforts, etc.  We haven't filed amicus curae briefs because these
are usually used on appeal, and none of the look-and-feel cases has reached
that stage.
     We believe that your letter, from a soon-to-be former LPF member, will
generate a productive discussion, both in and out of the organization, as to
what the LPF is, and what itshould be doing to affect the laws on software. <>

              <><><><><>Speakers<><><><><>

              What I Did on My Summer Vacation --==-- by Len Tower

     During a three week visit to family in the Pacific Northwest in August, I
set aside 4 days to speak on programming freedom issues.  I spoke seven times
in three cities: Corvallis & Portland, OR and Seattle, WA.  Audiences included
user groups, companies, and a technical book store seminar series.
     I solicited sponsors and dates by e-mailing to people in OR/WA and asking
them to put me in touch with likely sites.  These people included friends, LPF
members (ask [e-mail]) and GNU volunteers (ask
[e-mail]).  A local sponsor handled publicity based on an abstract
of the talk I provided.  Methods used included postings to company mailing
lists and regional USENET newsgroups, flyers, articles in company and store
newsletters, and newspaper announcements and ads.
     I prepared a 40 minute talk on both LPF issues from our newsletters and
two position papers, which left plenty of time for questions (which were often
answerable from material in the position papers that I didn't have time to
cover).
     When I do this next time, I'll vacation in a different month.  Many
colleges are between terms at the end of August and the academic crowds were a
bit thin.
     I'd like to thank all my hosts and audiences, and in particular my lady's
parents.
     I urge more of you to try speaking about our issues.  It's a fun,
interesting and easy way to help our cause. <>

              <><><><><>Speakers<><><><><>

     Richard Stallman has been doing another wave of speeches, in the United
States and Europe from late Sept. through mid--Nov.  First four talks in the
Southwest, in Albuquerque, Los Alamos, Las Vegas, and Tucson; then three in
the Midwest, in La Crosse, Madison, and Minneapolis.  The talk in Las Vegas
was designed to find more helpers for the League's COMDEX activities.
     Then he went to Italy, France, and England for eight more talks and for
meetings with members of Parliament in Italy and France.  With luck, LPF
organizations in Italy and France will be started by this trip. <>

            <><><><><>Speaking Volunteers<><><><><>

     Our members have often said that the LPF isn't visible enough.  We agree
and are taking steps to change that, including finding more volunteer
speakers, establishing an online LPF online library, and a regular newsletter.
     Besides editing this newsletter, I also serve as LPF coordinator, in
which capacity I run the speaker bureau.  Richard M. Stallman and Len Tower
have done the bulk of our speaking engagements to date, but cannot be
everywhere at once.  Our cloning attempts, despite Richard's views on copying,
have not yet succeeded.  We would like more volunteers, with or without
previous experience, to speak to people around the world and inform them about
the software look-and-feel and patent issues.  Anyone who would like to speak
about the LPF's positions, or who wants an LPF person to speak to their group,
please contact me at: [e-mail].
     For instance, our President, Jack Larsen, can be reached at 708-698-1160,
FAX at 708-698-6221 (Park Ridge, IL), or email at [e-mail].  He
would be happy to explain the legal issues and status of court cases and
treaties to groups in the region.  "I will go anywhere if travel expenses are
provided.  If not, I can cover "Chicagoland", 12 million people from Milwaukee
WI to Gary IN."
                                                           Spike R. MacPhee

           <><><><><>Conference Volunteers<><><><><>

     We want more volunteers to hand out League materials and position papers
at computer conferences and meetings around the country and the world.
Contact [e-mail] to request materials.

             <><><><><>Conference Report<><><><><>

     The LPF at Fall COMDEX '91 --==-- by Chris Hofstader, LPF Secretary

     This is the third consecutive year that Gordon Schantz and I have worked
the Fall COMDEX show for the LPF and easily the single most successful.
     In previous years the reactions to "Hi, I'm Chris Hofstader, officer,
director and cofounder of the League for Programming Freedom..." were:
     1989 - "League for what?" or "What Freedom?" or "So?"
     1990 - "We appreciate your efforts but please don't let anyone see you
             with us." or "Is that GNU?" or "Isn't that Kapor's group?"
     Now I can report that the visibility and respectability of the LPF has
grown profoundly.  At one point we had everybody in Borland's, Microsoft's,
Stuart Alsop's, and Windows World Magazine's booths wearing LPF "fanged apple"
badges.
     Thanks to our ten volunteers, an organization as small as the LPF had
terrific visibility.  Even the hostess at the Las Vegas Hilton coffee shop was
distributing our buttons.  More seriously, I was invited to many private
parties and had access to many people who lead the industrial side of this
business.  The response was very positive.  We will see more League publicity
and corporate support as a result. <>

              <><><><><>Article<><><><><>

        COPYING IN THE NEW WORLD ORDER --==-- by Jack Larsen, LPF President

     We are told that we are living in a "new world order".  In 1992 the
European Community will be one trading entity, and a real factor for Americans
who would trade abroad.  Multinational companies welcome the reduction in
legal formalities regarding patents, trade marks and copy rights. What is not
so obvious is that the proliferation of trade treaties has a direct impact on
our internal law.
     The battle for programming freedom has been elevated from the U.S.
District Court in Boston to the world stage; meanwhile Borland, the U.S.
Copyright Office, and ten prominent professors of copyright law have asked the
District Court to reconsider its Paperback decision of last year.
     The International Agenda is marked by a number of developments which are
approaching international agreement.  The first is an extensive amendment of
the heretofore innocuous Treaty of Paris which is intended to "harmonize" the
patent systems of the world.  This treaty and the Berne Convention on
Copyright are both administered by the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO).  This treaty has been under consideration for several
years.  A first session of the Diplomatic Conference was concluded in June,
and a second session is to be scheduled after conclusion of the Uruguay Round
trade talks in the GATT.  The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and the
trade agreements thereunder are the second major development.  The U.S.
Congress has approved a "fast track" process to expedite approval for
agreements in the Uruguay involving patents.
     New Trade agreements call for stringent reciprocal enforcement of
intellectual property "protection".  Recent negotiations with China became
stalled by the U.S. insistence on criminal penalties for software copying.
This may be the rationale behind inclusion in the "Violent Crimes Act" passed
by the Senate of long jail terms for copying software.
     Thirdly, the U.S. Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks has appointed an
Advisory Commission on Patent Law Reform the purpose of which according to
Commissioner Manbeck is to help "consensus forming" for the treaty.
     In the first session of the Diplomatic Conference the United States was
alone to oppose the first-to-file rule of Article 9 of the Treaty.  Article 10
which provided that "Patent protection shall be available for inventions,
whether they concern products or processes in all fields of technology." was
not supported, and remains for resolution in the second session.  This raises
the hope that computer programs may be excluded from patent protection.  All
in all Commissioner Manbeck did not encourage the delegates to expect the
United States to make fundamental changes in its laws, "unless others can
likewise agree to satisfy our needs."
      An American delegate reporting on the meeting concluded: "It is apparent
that the likelihood of concluding a treaty in this area which, in its
totality, would be acceptable to the United States will require the United
States to embrace a first-to-file system of awarding patents".  It has always
been under stood that the language of the Constitutional Grant bars the
adoption of a first-to-file system.  If the Advisory Commission can help the
Commissioner convince the public that the gains from the treaty will outweigh
the damage to the Constitution, the treaty will make it all possible...
     ...Until the new world order, our commercial treaties did not challenge
settled constitutional rights...
     ...Congress itself was moved to create a special new kind of
monopoly...the Semiconductor Chip Protection Act of 1984, creating a new kind
of intellectual property not authorized by the copyright and patent clauses of
the Constitution,
     The new Act provides for registration with the Copyright Office and
provides a term of protection limited to ten years.  This law aimed at the
emerging semiconductor giants of the Pacific Rim was clearly to be
international in scope, and intended that in any challenge to the
constitutionality of the law, there would be a treaty to support the creation
of the new monopolies...The Diplomatic Conference convened by the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in May 1989, adopted a "Treaty on
Intellectual Property in respect of integrated circuits".  This new treaty was
approved by the votes of 49 nations.  However, the United States and Japan
voted against the text finally approved.  Both countries would not approve the
draft provisions for the requirement of "non-voluntary licenses" under certain
circumstances of National import.  The U.S. and Japan control around 90
percent of the world production and trade in semiconductors.
     The treaty is available to the United States if it is ever needed.  It
has importance for several reasons.  First, it is an example of the
internationalization of the creation of a new kind of monopoly.  Secondly the
Treaty was prepared in a very short time, even before most countries
legislated on the matter.
     Thirdly, while apparently of very narrow scope the negotiations were led
by the United States establishing precedents for other areas of intellectual
property and giving a new role in the field to GATT.  Fourth, it contains
rules for the settlement of disputes applicable to GATT and other intellectual
property contexts, and finally developing nations took an active role in the
negotiations.  This treaty provided a laboratory for the drafting of a new and
wide-ranging treaty purporting to harmonize patent laws between nations.  It
shows the way to create new monopolies ,,,covering whatever line of
manufacture, trade or business which may be wrapped in a treaty package.
     A New WIPO treaty was the subject of a "Diplomatic Conference begun June
3, 1991 at The Hague, and now adjourned.  While seemingly technical, and not
commanding the attention of policy makers outside of the core of "experts",
patent attorneys, multinational corporations, and patent office bureaucrats,
this new Treaty has a potential for reversing fundamental principles of
American Patent law.
     It does not represent mature thought on such problems as software
patents, the patentability of life forms, the standards of invention and
novelty and the duration of the monopo lies.  The planned WIPO patent
harmonization treaty will cause serious problems for software developers in
the United States and wherever it is adopted.  The treaty would both aggravate
the problem (by making patents last longer) and withdraw presently available
remedies, not the least of which is an appeal to the Supreme Court. That Court
has held many computer programs to be unpatentable as following outside of the
"useful arts"; but the treaty would include "all fields of technology".
Another provision of the treaty would make matters worse, by making patents
last longer, extending the life of a patent to 20 years or more.  In an age
when the rapid advance of technology makes most technology obsolete much more
quickly than in the past, it would make more sense (in most fields) to shorten
the duration of patents.
     The proposed treaty would make patents easier to acquire, easier to
enforce, and broader in coverage.  For example the patent on a method would
carry with it the product of that process, whether already known, or produced
by a non-infringing process, and may permit and require patenting subject
matter beyond the present constitutional power of the United States.
     Software patents are a new experiment which is working out badly.  The
United States should not make the experiment permanent before the results are
known.  And the Executive Branch should not use the "FAST TRACK" ratification
process to withdraw the issue from the realm of public debate.  Properly, the
patent system is not just to encourage inventors, not just to enrich
entrepreneurs, not just to keep lawyers busy, its purpose is to "promote
science and the useful arts" for all of us by the teaching of the inventions
and discoveries.  As the time for signing this treaty approaches, it is well
past time for the general bar, and the citizenry to be made aware of what is
afoot...
     "Strict constructionists" and "original intent diviners" offer the
gadgeteers no more hope.  As Justice O'Connor points out: "Today's patent
statute is remarkably similar to the law as known to Jefferson in 1793".  The
original intent of the signatory states is to be found in the patent laws of
the colonies, which illuminate what is penumbra in the Constitution's patent
clauses.  The founding fathers were gentry in an agricultural country. Well
aware of the burden of Crown imposed monopolies, Congress required in the very
first patent act that the invention be "sufficiently useful and important" to
merit the 14 year right of exclusion under that act.  After the Court examined
the premises in Bonito Boats, it is clear that it will not repeal 200 years of
the American patent system, which for much of that time led the world.  But
the pressure by the peddlers of gadgets and the titans of industry for new,
cheaper, and more broadly applied monopolies is unrelenting.  For them a
better way has been found. A way that takes the Supreme Court, and the House
of Representatives out of the loop.  The revision of the Treaty of Paris, to
be considered by WIPO in the Second Half of the Diplomatic Conference begun
this year at The Hague, and adjourned to a time next year and place yet to be
announced.  The treaty would impose an increased minimum term for patents,
highly inappropriate in view of the accelerated pace of science and
technology.  It would grant patents to the first-to-file, rather than the
first inventor, thus diverting into a race to the Patent Office, energy which
better may be devoted to science.
     The delegates to the several meetings of "Experts" leading up to this
Conference, with few exceptions have been patent professionals, wholly
unprepared to appreciate the economic and social impact of the patent system,
concerned only with the cost and efficiency of extracting the monopolies from
the governments.  With the new Budget bill, our Patent and Trademark Office is
to be funded by "user fees".  The Patent Offices of the World, by this
proposed treaty, would be combined by the special patent tribunals of the
world joined in this device "to get a broader, looser conception of patents
than the Constitution contemplates", again to rephrase Mr. Justice Douglas.
     The indirect cost of patent monopolies, like the cost of the Savings and
Loan mess is "off budget" but it should not be ignored.  The indiscriminate
creation of exclusive privileges through cheap and easy patents, in the words
of Justice Bradley a century ago: "creates a class of speculative schemers who
make it their business to watch the advancing wave of improvement, and gather
its foam in the form of patented monopolies, which enable them to lay a heavy
tax upon the industry of the country, without contributing anything to the
real advancement of the arts.  It embarrasses the hones pursuit of business
with fears and apprehensions of concealed liens and unknown liabilities to
lawsuits and vexatious accountings for profits made in good faith."
     In no area of technology has this scheming been more blatant than in the
proliferation of so-called "inventions" and patent applications involving
computer programs.  Already the practical difficulty experienced by the Patent
and Trademark Office in the "examination" of such applications has resulted in
a de facto repeal of the Constitutionally mandated Section 103 of the law.  In
the new world order those schemers will more likely be living and working in
Bombay, Bangkok, or Beijing, than in Canton, Cleveland, or Cincinnati.
     ...Yet the treaty loop hole threatens our fundamental structure.  The
greater iniquity is that a Treaty, unlike a statute or even the Constitution
cannot be amended, or its burdens ameliorated by the actions of our People or
our Congress.  We will be held to the least-common-denominator of the world
community.  <>

      <><><><><>LPF Boutique Materials Available from the League<><><><><>
                    Buttons
     We have reprinted the famous ``fanged apple'' buttons.  These buttons
show the symbol of Apple computer with an alien snake's body and face.
     You can buy buttons by mail from the League, for $2 each, in quantities
of at least three.  We give out buttons at events, but ask for a donation.
                    Stickers
     We also have stickers showing Liberty Empowering the Programmer, with the
League's name and address.
     You can order stickers by mail from the League at the price of $5 for 10
stickers; for larger orders, phone us to discuss a price.  We hand them out
free when it is convenient, such as at our events, but since mailing packages
to individuals costs money, we want to make it an opportunity to raise funds.
     Post stickers at eye level and separated from other posted articles, to
make them easy to see.  The stickers are not made to survive rain.
                   Liberty Postcards
     We also have postcards showing Liberty Empowering the Programmer, with
the League's name and address.  Same terms as the stickers.
                 Large Liberty Posters
     We have a few posters with the same image that is on the stickers,
approximately 2.5 ft by 1.5 ft.  We used such posters to make signs for the
protest rally.  If you need some, talk with the League and we'll work out a
deal.                  Coffee Mugs
     Our coffee mugs have the Fanged Apple design in full color on one side
and ``League for Programming Freedom'' on the other.  They hold twelve ounces
and are microwave safe.  Not available until Feb. 92.
     You can order a mug for $10, nonmembers $12..  They will not be ready
until Jan 1992.                T-Shirts
     Michael Ernst has produced t-shirts with Liberty and ``League for
Programming Freedom'' on the front and ``Stop Software Monopolies'' on the
back.  (The back slogan will change from time to time.)  You can order shirts
by mail from the League for $12 (which includes $2 for mailing).  Available
colors are yellow, blue and tan; if you specify a color, we will assume you
would rather have the other color than no shirt.  If you want a chosen color
or nothing, say so explicitly.  Please specify the shirt size!  (M, L or XL.)
            Position Papers and Memberships
     We will send anyone a copy of the League position papers.  If you want
other copies to hand out at an event, we'll send you as many as you need.
Please discuss your plans with us.  One-year memberships are $42 for
professionals, $10.50 for students, and $21 for others <>

           <><><><><>Newsletter Volunteers<><><><><>

     We would like volunteers to work on the newsletter.  Our special thanks
to Betty Lou McClanahan and Carol Botteron for proofreading and editing help
with this issue.  Contact Programming Freedom at [e-mail]