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AOL Patents IM

Posted by timothy on from the eyebrows-to-celing-please dept.

ProgressiveCynic writes "CNet is reporting that AOL has recieved a patent on IM technologies. Specifically, any technology that provides "a network that allows multiple users to see when other users are present and then to communicate with them" is covered. While AOL was a leader in this space the patent was only filed in September 2002."

8 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. prior art... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    % finger <user>
    % talk <user>

  2. Why don't we patent the word "The" by nemui-chan · · Score: 2, Funny
    What the hell? This patent according to the vague terminology covers the unix who/talk command, almost all online video games, the Battle.Net system, IRC, Gamespy.com, as well as a few others. Now I may not be the most intelligent guy in the world, but I'm pretty sure that -somewhere- there has to be some previous art.

    nems

  3. Re:Granted in 2002, NOT filed! by Spudley · · Score: 4, Funny

    the patent was granted in Sept 200

    Sept 200, eh? Wow. That definitely rules out any prior art that I know of! ;-)

    --
    (Spudley Strikes Again!)
  4. OK That settles it... by EricV314a · · Score: 4, Funny

    I hereby officially serve notice that I intend to file an application to patent the technology behind taking a shit. Everyone out there needs to pay up or just explode

  5. Because you can't by Kibo · · Score: 2, Funny

    It would infringe on my patent for the combination of simple symbols, representing sound parts, into fundemental conceptual building blocks that are then aranged within a formal structure to clearly communicate any and all manner of information. It was granted last week.

    I wonder how much I owe AOL in back royalties for all that mudding I did in the 90's?

    --
    --Jimmy has fancy plans; and pants to match.
  6. I hear that Microsoft ... by Cs.Ender · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...is filing for a patent on the use of ones and zeros to represent data.

    --
    I know lots of things. Most of them are wrong.
  7. I'm filing: by Fat+Casper · · Score: 3, Funny
    Specifically, "Technology allowing the use of barricade-like devices at all exit points of the USP&TO building while simultaneously applying incindiary devices to same structure."

    I know you're all thinking it, but I'm filing it, and it'll always be (legally) my idea.

    Doesn't the Guide define USP&TO as "a bunch of mindless jerks who will be the first against the wall when the revolution comes?"

    --
    I spent a year in Iraq looking for WMD and all I found was this lousy sig.
  8. Re:Mirabilis filed the patent by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    monitoring who is on the chat network ... it's not the same as 'write'

    Well, it is if you get rid of the 'rite'.