Author: Robert Hyatt
Date: 20:01:55 09/08/99
Go up one level in this thread
On September 08, 1999 at 09:30:11, Steven Schwartz wrote: >On September 08, 1999 at 05:55:02, Shep wrote: > >>On September 07, 1999 at 23:11:22, Bradley S., Short wrote: >> >>>Hi >>> >>>I was wondering if anyone could tell me where I might be able to buy a Tasc R30 >>>v 2.5. To the best of my knowledge no stand alone chess computer can beat it in >>>terms of sheer class not to mention strength. I would greatly appreciate any >>>information. Thank you >> >>http://www.tasc.nl/ordering/dealer.html >> >>might list a dealer near your location. >>Shep > >We are listed as a dealer, and, in fact, we sold, by far, more than >anyone else in the U.S., but TASC was sued by a New Jersey company >that claimed to own the patent to the piece recognition technology >which the R30 possessed. > >We were dragged into the suit (because ANYONE selling an infringing >product as well as any individual who purchased one is potentially >liable) ostensibly so that the N.J. company could apply pressure on >TASC in Amsterdam to settle. > >Well, there was no settlement. We were released from the suit (although >it cost us over $14,000 to defend ourselves), and TASC received a >$581,000 judgment against them. Not long after that, production of the >R30 ceased. > >So, needless to say, the dealer list is not going to be accurate. >We would not touch the product now with a 10 foot (or $14,000) pole:-)) >- Steve (ICD/Your Move) It is a real shame this happened... Because the "Bogner" patent is predated by 15 years by established 'prior art'. Ken Thompson had a piece recognition board based on coils in the base of the pieces, and he demonstrated this at the 1978 ACM event in Washington, DC. I wish someone would challenge this patent as it is absurd...
This page took 0 seconds to execute
Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700
Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.