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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."

3 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. What ever happened to... by tuxracer · · Score: 2, Interesting

    past "art"?

  2. Re:What about "chat" and "talk"? by PFAK · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You can't forget to mention IRC, it is the "art" that came after "talk" and "ytalk", and it's bases are from 1987.

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    Free means no restrictions, ironic the FSF's GPL forces restrictions, isn't it? What's your definition of free?
  3. Patent Laws... by EaTiN+cOfFeE+bEaNs · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ...state that your invention can be something new, a new use, or an improvement on a previous invention or patent. Instant Messaging is certainly an improvement on any messaging system that everyone is bitching about predating IM's.

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    No TiVo and no caffeine make me something something...