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

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."

Comments

Message from British Telecom

[Vic]

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.

That Does It

[miracle69]

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!