Yet another stupid software patent.

The Register reports that graphics company Tektronix is trying to enforce a 1987 patent (Patent 4,734,690) . This patent is for a "graphics display terminal performs a pan operation with respect to a view motion center to effectuate spherical panning, thereby providing perspective and non-perspective views". In plain English, this means that the patent protects the 3D display in a 2D display. This is the basis for all modern games, and it could be worth trillions in litigation.