Umm, this is interesting..

[Arnoud Engelfriet]

nobodyO at web.de wrote:
> the reason why linux distributions can conflict with patents is that they are used not only private.
> The patent right does not affect what you do private.
> In the german law you can find this in ? 11 PatG: http://www.patentgesetz.de/patg1.htm#p11 .
> In other countries it's the same because the basic principles are the same.

In the USA, however, there is no exception for use of an invention by
a private individual. While it's usually not economical to sue an
individual, legally there's no reason why a patent holder couldn't.

Arnoud

-- 
Arnoud Engelfriet, Dutch & European patent attorney - Speaking only for myself
Patents, copyright and IPR explained for techies: http://www.iusmentis.com/
              Arnoud blogt nu ook: http://blog.iusmentis.com/