Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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)."

3 of 234 comments (clear)

  1. Re:yeah fools by neostorm · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Please somebody mod the above post Insightful or Interesting for comedy's sake...

  2. Just goes to show by Pettifogger · · Score: 0, Redundant
    This just goes to show the creative bankruptcy at Microsoft. With their market dominance and incredible cash flow, you would think they'd be able to hire the best and brightest to develop irresistable products.

    I suppose they're thinking this is a brilliant PR campaign, but they're going to get a hell of a lot of bad press if they capitalize on someone else's great idea and only give him/her $25k.

    Just another example of incredible corporate stupidity.

    --

    IAAL

  3. Re:Finally! by indiancowboy · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Oh now that is'nt all true, You forget the Blue Screen !