Is it true that the A+ pathfinding algoritm is patented?
I have a question that isn't directly about pathfinding or collision detection, but about research and reuse of other algoritms.
IF you should be so lucky to discover a new way of doing things, in the course of making a game, how do you efficiently determine:
1) If it is really a new technic.
2) If you can use it, without infringing
And:
3) How can you publicize your idea, so that it can be shared by everyone else, but that you will still get credited for it, and protect it from being patented by others.
4) If your solutions build on other solutions. Does this matter at all? Say if you take inspiration from 3 other well known, and patterned technics, and invent a third way. Do you still need to credit them, and even licence their ideas in order to evolve them?
I guess I am worrying over nothing, but already I see that to complete even a simple game, takes a LOT of work. And it would be nice to have some way make sure that it isn't a waste of time.
So this thread is for sharing what you know about these issues. Is there any reason to ponder these questions for small teams?