patented.c

// The following codes and algorithms have all been patented at some point, and some still are.

#define MICROSOFT_PATENTED_OPERATOR(x, y) (&(x) != &(y))
// The address-wise ISNOT operator is patent-protected for BASIC compilers
// by Microsoft until 2024. US Patent #20040230959
// https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/20040230959

typedef ptrdiff_t selfptr_t;

static inline selfptr_t set_selfptr(selfptr_t *ptr, void *addr){
	*ptr = (unsigned char*)addr - (unsigned char*)*ptr;
	return *ptr;
}

static inline void *get_selfptr(selfptr_t ptr){
	return (void*)((unsigned char*)ptr + ptr);
}
// Self-relative pointers were patented until 2020, according to google patent search.
// USPTO has nothing to confirm this, so this patent may still be enforced until September
// 23, 2023. US Patent #6,625,718
// https://image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-public/print/downloadPdf/6625718

// More to come