I don't think this will apply to blank floppies because the original FAT format cannot possibly be patented anymore. A blank preformatted floppy will not have any long-file-name stuff on it, and can in fact be identical to one produced back in the days of DOS. This will also apply to blank FAT12 and probably FAT16 media of other types. It is only when you start using some of the newer stuff, like long file names, that you are likely to run into trouble. At least this is what I got out of running the down M$ patents mentioned on their website. Bob Ammerman RAm Systems -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.