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by James Robertson.
Original Post: How to work around Eolas
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Don Park explains that there are three ways to deal (technically speaking) with the Eolas patent:
Generate <OBJECT> tag using JavaScript
Add a special - i.e., non-standard - attribute
Require users to click Ok in a dialog box before proceeding
Those are some ugly choices. The first blows, because so many people have JavaScript turned off (if you run a Windows based software firewall, it's likely off by default). The second seems less awful - after all, IE is dominant. The only problem is, usage of other browsers is high enough that this will cause grief. The third is just annoying as heck.
As I reported yesterday, Eolas is now trying to get an injunction against IE distribution. This shouldn't make users of Netscape, Opera (et. al.) happy, because those browsers have exactly the same problem with respect to the Eolas suit. This whole thing just stinks, and I'm amazed that it hasn't been sunk yet by a prior art showing.
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