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McAfee Patents ASP Business Model

Posted by michael on from the your-patent-will-come-to-$4.65,-please-drive-through dept.

Rob Kischuk writes: "According to an article at InfoWorld, McAfee.com has been granted a patent on its variety of "software as a service". No specifics on the patent, but the CEO's statement, "You either work with us, or you work around this patent", seems to indicate that more than a couple of ASPs could be affected." kerubi gets a cookie for sending in a link to the patent in question, or read McAfee's press release.

1 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Hmm. by justin_w_hall · · Score: 5, Interesting
    You know.. maybe this is what needs to happen for the government to realize the idiocy of the patent system:

    • McAfee files a blatantly obvious patent.
    • The patent happens to cover an idea that Microsoft is about to base their entire software strategy on (web services).
    • Light bulb goes on over a Microsoft VP's head - 'hey we should do something to stop this'.
    • Microsoft's legal muscle fires off multiple letters to Washington.
    • Light bulb goes on over Washington's head (or is forced there by Microsoft's legal types - 'maybe this patent law does suck.'
    • Change ensues.

    Who knows? Maybe having the 800-pound gorilla fight some battles for you isn't all bad..
    --

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    "how can the same street intersect with itself? i must be at the nexus of the universe!" - cosmo kramer