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Patent creates IM wrinkle | |
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| Time: 01:20 EST/06:20 GMT | News Source: CNET | Posted By: Robert Stein | ||
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America Online has quietly secured a patent that could shake up the competitive landscape for instant messaging software. The patent (6449344), originally filed in 1997, and granted in September this year, gives AOL instant messaging subsidiary ICQ rights as the inventor of the popular IM Internet application. The patent covers anything resembling a network that lets multiple IM users see when other people are present and then communicate with them. The breadth of this definition could create controversy in the industry. AOL's primary competitors, Microsoft and Yahoo, have their own instant messaging services, each with millions of subscribers. With the patent, AOL could technically sue rival instant messaging services for infringement backed by the argument spelled out in the patent. | ||
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| #1 By 2138 (62.201.91.240) at 12/18/2002 5:44:01 AM |
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ditto here,
belto... |
| #2 By 2960 (156.80.64.132) at 12/18/2002 8:08:55 AM |
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This patent will be challanged in court eventually, and I think AOL will loose.
It seems a bit broad for a patent. Please excuse me while I quickly go patent the drinking of water. Our Patent system is out of control. If it keeps up, between this and the DMCA there will be ZERO innovation in the tech industry. TL |
| #3 By 6859 (204.71.100.218) at 12/18/2002 8:50:34 AM |
| This is just more proof (like I needed more) to my claim that the patent procedure needs reviewing and someone needs to have veto right over some claims. |
| #4 By 2459 (24.233.39.98) at 12/18/2002 9:57:18 AM |
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I think you're right about prior art, gg.
For example, MS can show prior art with WinPopup/WinChat. That software fits the description: The patent covers anything resembling a network that lets multiple IM users see when other people are present and then communicate with them. "The claim is it's a system where you have a network; you have a way to monitor who's on the network; and if you want to talk to them you hook them up," |
| #5 By 3465 (149.101.1.116) at 12/18/2002 10:39:52 AM |
| good job aol. |
| #6 By 7390 (198.246.16.251) at 12/18/2002 10:41:56 AM |
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I am not fully aware of the patent process but shouldn't they have checked for "prior art"?
It seems that any network/user aware application might my fall under this. This seems totally rediculous to me. in order to ping a computer and do a "net send" you have to send a check to AOL. |
| #7 By 3653 (63.162.177.140) at 12/18/2002 10:48:30 AM |
| further confirmation that Microsoft's "tactics" are no different than that of the industry as a whole. |
| #8 By 415 (68.54.10.120) at 12/18/2002 11:16:02 AM |
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I doubt AOL would even try to use this patent, it would cause too much negative press and user backlash.
BTW, you can patent just about anything, even if it's just an improvement on an existing patent. However, that does NOT give you the right to use existing patents, but you can legally prevent someone from using your improvement(s). There can be plenty of "prior art", as long as the wording in the patent application proves that your invention has or does something that nothing else does. There's other criteria, but you can read about it yourself. Here's a bit of patent law FAQ ... http://www.lawnotes.com/patent/faq_pat.html |
| #9 By 7390 (63.211.44.114) at 12/18/2002 2:00:56 PM |
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#16 we can make an exception for IBM *only if they promise to never get out of line again*
:P |
| #10 By 61 (65.32.170.1) at 12/18/2002 2:40:11 PM |
| This isn't just IM networks, it's any sort of network which can detect when a person or computer is connected to a network and then communicate with that person or computer. |
| #11 By 10022 (24.169.197.221) at 12/18/2002 6:35:16 PM |
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This isn't just IM networks, it's any sort of network which can detect when a person or computer is connected to a network and then communicate with that person or computer.
Oh great now they think they invented DHCP!! |
| #12 By 2459 (24.233.39.98) at 12/18/2002 9:42:35 PM |
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This may not qualify, like you said gg, because of slight functional differences, but type winchat from the command prompt on your computer. Go to Connection|Dial or the only highlighted icon. It opens a dialog that enumerates every computer on the network. This post was edited by n4cer on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 at 21:54. |
| #13 By 1845 (12.209.152.69) at 12/19/2002 7:13:51 AM |
| Well said, z00k. I'm certain, from a capitalist's perspective, that the world would be a better place without GPL. |
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