Last month, Terry got a phone call from Dr. Chris Cruz, the principal at Oak Grove South. The algorithm used in WebCompress is commonly known as the Lem El-Zif algorithm, which is protected by a patent. Very truly yours, Robin D'Cradle, Esq. Dr. Cruz is worried. The school cannot keep track of who is using Terry's program, and there is no money in the school budget to pay for licensing fees.
Terry is extremely upset.
In Terry's opinion, the program is very simple, and people should be allowed to use it for free. No one in CS 224 had mentioned that the algorithm was patented. Because UI has an obligation to demonstrate that its licensing policies for government-funded research are in the best public interest, Professor Patel is anxious to defuse any potential conflict arising from a UI license. Professor Patel arranges a meeting. At this meeting, Terry, Pat, Chris, and Robin will try to resolve the problem.