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Rivals keep mum on AOL patent | |
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| Time: 01:02 EST/06:02 GMT | News Source: Seattle PI | Posted By: Bill Roach | ||
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A broad patent on instant messaging granted months ago to America Online has elicited no reaction from rivals Microsoft and Yahoo! even though it seems to threaten their competing instant-messaging services. Microsoft and Yahoo! have released no statements about Patent No. 6,449,344 -- covering "an improved communications system for facilitating locating a user who is connected to a communications network" -- which was approved on Sept. 10. | ||
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| #1 By 7746 (213.93.165.232) at 12/30/2002 3:08:45 AM |
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It is about time that the world stops granting patents for bullshit. I can hardly call
"an improved communications system for facilitating locating a user who is connected to a communications network" rocket science. Let them grant patents on medicine, aviation technology, or oil drilling technology. Not on technologies which are invented in a afternoon. In the past we already have have patents on "one-click buying", "running applications in web-pages (applets)", "cookies". Patents are there to protect huge investments in R&D. I can hardly think about that it took a huge R&D budget to invent "cookies". What's next, a patent granted to breading air by humans? This post was edited by xavalon on Monday, December 30, 2002 at 03:09. |
| #2 By 2960 (156.80.64.132) at 12/30/2002 9:06:46 AM |
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I'm not sure about patents on Medicine (I think anything so fundamental to the survival of a person should not be eligible for patent, but that's just my opinion), but the rest I agree with.
The patent system is out of control. What we need is a review process for all patent applications. Before a patent is granted, input from other companies in the same area of expertise should be able to file statements concerning the requested patent. I think this would go a long way towards cutting down on the number of bad patents that just end up getting taken away in costly court battles. Of course the Lawyers would fight any such changes to the system to their deaths... TL |
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