Interwoven Patents Code Versioning

webengr writes "It seems like the USPO is pretty lenient when it comes to awarding software patents. CVS has been around for a long time, but now Interwoven has been awarded a new patent covering version control of web assets. The claims include, 'The use of a hierarchical file system and an object repository for representing and hosting content and its structure,' and 'The combined concepts of file history, versioning, comparison, and merging as it relates to content, provide an archive of all individual changes as well as collections of changes so they can be versioned and audited.'"

Comments

Re:Patents out of control

[cindik]

I think I shall patent "a means of using a patent to create ownership of an obvious method of using existing devices or methods so as to stifle innovation and help lawyers buy new cars"

Ha. This will have no effect on me!

[Sun Tzu]

Unless one of the claims covers working on programs in one big file (tm) and saving off another copy with a new extension (1,2,3,4,5,...) with every significant change.

Heh, I knew my slackerly habits would pay off eventually!

Send us your Linux Sysadmin articles

Lost work at the patent office

[Anonymous Coward]

Nobody at the US Patent office must version control their documents. Maybe thats how patents get awarded so easily?

And in a related story...

[TrollBridge]

"It seems like the USPO is pretty lenient when it comes to awarding software patents."

And in our next story, Microsoft is now widely perceived to be the playground bully of computer software.

Maybe

[YanceyAI]

Some of you guys should get a job reviewing patent applications. You seem to know more about prior art & novelty than these patent officers do.

jeez

[maxbang]

I just patented the process of "using organic photoreceptors to relay electronic signals via sheathed sodium channels to a core carbon based processing unit to elicit saturation of iron-rich fluids in nether regions of humanoid body, and further organic electrical manipulation of calcium mechanics to stimulate fluid-engorged region." I'm willing to settle for $20,000 per license violation.

Re:article in case of server meltdown

[Ashran]

1.) Mirror Page Content
2.) ???
3.) Karma

Next on Fox: "Leave it to Beaver, thePatent Clerk"

[Colonel Panic]

Beaver: "Hey Wally, getta load of this! It's another one of them swell software patents!"

Wally: "Well, you remember what the memo said, if it's got the the word 'web' in it then you should accept it, otherwise you're gonna get it when the commisioner gets back."

Beaver: "Not only does it have 'web' it's got 'web assets' and 'version control', what the heck is that?"

Wally: "No idea, but it sounds good. Hey just stamp the thing with the 'ACCEPTED' stamp and let the lawyers sort it out; we're gonna be late for beer at The Prior Art tavern."

Beaver: "Yeah, wouldn't want them lawyers to be outta work, now would we. Well, that's ten I've accepted before lunch, let's get to The Prior Art, pronto!"

Only way to sort this out...

[IainHere]

I propose applying to the USPO for a patent on

"A system to allow full disclosure of innovative techniques or technologies, while permitting the applicant exclusive license to said technologies for a certain period."

They're bound to grant it, and once they do, you sue them into oblivion for infringing it.

Re:New Rules

[Slime-dogg]

Or, conversely

1. USPO submits claim to Slashdot as a news item.
2. Comments follow, listing examples of prior art.
3. Highest moderated comments are then re-submitted to the USPO, with a summarized recommendation based on all mid-high moderated comments

I don't think that I've seen patents go through /. and not read examples of prior art in the commentary.