Half-page advertisement that appeared in the April 14, 1989 issue of "The Tech," MIT's student newspaper.

COMPUTER SCIENTISTS, WATCH OUT!

Apple and Lotus are trying to create a new form of legal monopoly: a copyright on a class of user interfaces.  These monopolies would cause serious problems for users and developers of computer software and systems.

Until two years ago, the law seemed clear: no one could restrict others from using a user interface; programmers were free to implement any interface they chose.  Imitating interfaces, sometimes with changes, was standard practice in the computer field.  The interfaces we know evolved gradually in this way; for example, the Macintosh user interface was developed over fifteen years at Stanford, SRI, Xerox and other places. Hundreds of students and researchers contributed to this effort, and no one has a right to own it all now.

Most computer companies, and nearly all computer users, are happy with this state of affairs.  Lotus and Apple say it does not offer "enough incentive" to develop their products, but they must have considered it "enough" when they made their decision to do so.  It seems they are not satisfied with the opportunity to continue to compete in the marketplace---not even with a head start.

If Lotus and Apple are permitted to make law through the courts, the precedent will hobble the software industry:

• Gratuitous incompatibilities will burden users.  Imagine if each car manufacturer had to arrange the pedals in a different order.
• Software will become and remain more expensive.  Users will be "locked in" to proprietary interfaces, for which there is no real competition.
• Large companies have an unfair advantage wherever lawsuits become commonplace.  Since they can easily afford to sue, they can intimidate small companies with threats even when they don't really have a case.
• User interface improvements will come slower, since incremental evolution through creative imitation will no longer be permitted.
• Even Apple and Lotus will find it harder to make improvements if they can no longer adapt the good ideas that others introduce, for fear of weakening their own legal positions.  Some users suggest that this stagnation may already have started.

Express your opinion!  Reconsider your plans!  You can make a difference.

This is a paid political advertisement, sponsored by Marvin Minsky, Richard Stallman, Gerald J. Sussman

KEEP THEIR LAWYERS OFF OUR COMPUTERS!