code server patent

[Chris Pickett <chris pickett mail mcgill ca>]

Hello,

I have some questions about a code server patent belonging to REC 
Software Inc. (my dad's company) and I was wondering if somebody here 
can help me out.

It's a patent that describes dynamic (and automatic) software 
installation over a network.  You start executing some module, and it 
goes out and finds the other pieces you need (based on the existing 
"check every piece is there before executing" process) and installs them 
in the background.  It can also be used for software updates and 
software subscriptions.  This isn't remote execution we're talking 
about, the code actually runs on the client.

My questions are:

1) Given that you guys are installation people does this sound at all 
useful?
2) Who can we talk to in more detail about this?

I know software patents are considered evil, the possibility of giving 
this thing away exists, but we'd need some convincing that it would be 
worthwhile (in a specific context, not general "it's worthwhile to give 
any patent away" stuff).

Feel free to send me a personal email or respond to this list -- either 
is fine.  I thought rpm would be a good place to start asking 
questions.  I have some familiarity with GNU/Linux (I work on an open 
source Java VM called SableVM), my father has until now (!) been a 
Windows developer.  I have no familiarity with the technical details of 
rpm, but have used it on occasion (Debian is the distribution of choice 
for my university).

Cheers,
Chris Pickett