The following appeared on the back cover of a mailing from Parc Place
Systems to its customers in January 1991.

Patent nonsense, and what to do about it
----------------------------------------

The laws regarding copyrighting and patenting of software (beyond the
traditional use of copyright to prevent copying of actual code or
specific screen images) are in a state of turmoil. There is
controversy as to whether the new, broadened concepts of
"look-and-feel copyright" and software patenting are helpful or
harmful to the industry. Recent lawsuits and counter-suits have made
it clear that this is an important issue, with high stakes.

At least one organization, the League for Programming Freedom, has
taken a strong position that the broader kinds of protection are
harmful to the industry. The following statement indicates our
position with respect to the activities of this organization.

    The management of ParcPlace Systems, Inc. supports the League for
    Programming Freedom in its efforts to eliminate software patenting and
    broad, non-traditional expansion of copyright laws to software.  These laws
    and interpretations seriously compromise the benefits to customer and
    industry that have resulted from the open exchange of ideas, and from the
    freedom to compete by adding value to de facto standards.

    Given the current existence of these laws and interpretations, ParcPlace
    Systems may nevertheless feel compelled to pursue patenting or broad
    copyrighting for some elements of its technology, as a matter of prudent
    business practice, but will continue to call for change in the laws.

    Nothing in this endorsement should be taken as implying or requiring that
    any particular employee of, or other person affiliated with ParcPlace
    Systems, Inc., individually support the League for Programming Freedom or
    its activities.

To find out more about the League for Programming Freedom, write to
them at: PO Box 9171, Cambridge, MA 02139.