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British Telecom's Hyperlink Claims To Reach U.S. Court

Posted by timothy on from the wish-it-was-unisys-on-the-other-end dept.

downundarob writes: "Last year, BT said it had discovered that it holds U.S. patent 4,873,662 for the invention of hyperlink technology used on the Internet, and on Dec. 13, 2000, the London-based telecommunication company filed suit in federal court in White Plains, New York. A court date was set Monday in the lawsuit brought by British Telecommunications PLC (BT) against U.S.-based Prodigy Communications Corp. for patent infringement through the ISP's (Internet service provider) unauthorized use of the hyperlink. The full story is here."

4 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. Message from British Telecom by Vic · · Score: 4, Funny

    Dear Timothy and the rest of Slashdot/Andover/VA,

    Due to our patent on hyperlinking, and the fact that you hyperlinked to a story about this patent (we noticed many other hyperlinks on your page, as well), we are taking you to court.

    Before settlement is reached, pelase remove all hyperlinks from your web page. Until a royalty settlement is agreed upon, it's tough-titties for you.

    Sincerely,
    B.T.

  2. *cough* by Mathness · · Score: 2, Funny

    All you hyperlinks are belong to us.

    Nothing to see here, move along.

    --
    Carbon based humanoid in training.
  3. That Does It by miracle69 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm going down to the Boston Harbor right now and dumping *ALL* of my British bound packets right into the water.

    That'll show them!

    --
    Linux - Because Mommy taught me to Share.
  4. Discovered?? by thesolo · · Score: 3, Funny

    From the article: "Last year, BT said it had discovered that it holds U.S. patent 4,873,662"

    Why do I have a mental picture of Jed Clampett in my head right now?
    "Look Ma, We done found a hyperlink patent!"
    "Well, Goll-y!"

    Seriously though, you don't just "discover" that you have a patent, you wait until the sucker is approved then try to figure out the most strategic way to get money with it. I am so sick of these patents anymore.