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Fishing for Ideas

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the ask-slashdot dept.

FyreWyr writes "Whether Microsoft is searching for new ideas, or supporting inventors outright is up for grabs, but they're stabbing at it with $300,000 for 12 spanking ideas (that's $25k each). But as with everything Microsoft, the devil's in the details, or rather, the fine print. At first, you'd swear it was "Brought to you by VISA" - the logo is ubiquitous - but the very last statement in the contest rules reads: "The sponsor...is Microsoft ... VISA...have not sponsored or offered this contest in any way". They also retain a spectrum of rights, and responsibily suggest that you go out and patent really good ideas first. Okay, how much does that cost again? (see end of this article)."

7 of 234 comments (clear)

  1. At least they're honest. by jesco · · Score: 5, Funny

    At least MS is honest and tells you to go and patent your idea, or they'll steal it from you. An honest thief, one could say... ;)

  2. For Microsoft by ShishCoBob · · Score: 5, Funny

    How about security for Microsoft? Now there is an idea.

    --
    http://www.maximum-cars.com - My little hobbie.
  3. Here's my idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Software with frickin' laser beams on its head

  4. and in tiny tiny print, it reads... by shawnywany · · Score: 5, Funny

    'offer expires 1983'

  5. It finally happened!! by Sophrosyne · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft finally ran out of things to steal from Xerox Parc and Apple!

    1. Re:It finally happened!! by LucidityZero · · Score: 5, Funny

      Microsoft finally ran out of things to steal from Xerox Parc and Apple!

      They're moving onto the Linux community. They figure we're stupid enough to build our own software for free, so maybe we'll build their's too!

      --
      Sig.i>
  6. It's even worse! by Coward,+Anonymous · · Score: 5, Funny

    The sponsor...is Microsoft ... VISA...have not sponsored or offered this contest in any way

    Not only that, it also states: "Puerto Rico... to... become the property of Microsoft Corporation"