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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.

5 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. Take a look at the title... by JoeShmoe · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Method and system for securing, managing or optimizing a personal computer"

    So basically McAfee is claiming a patent on:

    * Passwords
    * Locks

    * Command Shells
    * GUIs

    * Defragmenters
    * Memory management

    You get the idea...this is broader than the side of a barn. The only sentance I can pull out of the abstract that means anything is "you do something with a web browser and something happens on your computer"

    Serious...who read this @#%!$ at the patent office and finds anything unique about it at all? I mean AT - FREAKING - ALL?

    - JoeShmoe

    --
    -- I wonder which will go down in history as the bigger failure: the War on Drugs or the War on Filesharing
  2. Re:"You either work with us, or you work around th by csbruce · · Score: 5, Funny

    Definitely sounds like a challenge

    Sounds more to me like "Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-hah!!" {strokes cat while adjusting monocle}

    Nooo, Mr. Bond, I expect you to pay royalties!

  3. Cookie by truthsearch · · Score: 5, Funny

    Actually, kerubi gets a cookie just by browsing Slashdot.

    (Sorry, I just couldn't resist.)

    --
    Developers: We can use your help.
  4. 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..
    --

    ---
    "how can the same street intersect with itself? i must be at the nexus of the universe!" - cosmo kramer
  5. Protest! by Chairboy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hi guys,

    Perhaps the best way to protest their action would be to purchase as many Norton & Symantec products as possible.

    Regards,

    Ben Hallert
    Symantec