Slashdot Mirror
MailBlocks sues Earthlink over Anti-Spam Tech
goombah99 writes "Mailblocks is suing Earthlink , claiming patents on Challenge-Response as a means of blocking spam. Slashdot recently discussed Earthlink's plans to implement a challenge-response email system. The next day mailblocks filed suit to defend their turf in the $118 million dollar anti-spam solutions market. MSNBC has a complete discussion."
Years ago... 1997 to be exact.
Mailblocks has no right on that patent.
...and this ladies and gentlement is why the spammers win.
"Mailblocks is suing Earthlink , claiming patents on Challenge-Response"
If Earthlink responds to this legal challenge, they'd be in violation of this Mailblocks patent? A nice merry-go-round.
I think I'll patent these as well, just in case:
1. Pleading guilty.
2. Pleading innocent.
and so on...
If you keep throwing chairs, one day you'll break windows....
I could be a mile long by now! You'll pay Mailblocks, YOU WILL PAY!
Because all the "good guys" are stabbing each other in the back trying to be the one that fixes this problem.
I say we need to send the One (a large man with a nail bat) to the Source (the companies that PAY the spammers) and let him Disseminate the Code (splatter their heads against the wall).
Yeah, I saw Reloaded three times since last Wednesday... so sue me. =P
This is my sig. Its pathetic.
Didn't Jeff Bezos {amazon.com} invent that? I'm pretty sure he holds the patent for it...
From the article: "Mailblocks developed and owns patents for Challenge/Response"
They will sue me as soon as they find out that I dial in to my ISP using the CHAP protocol.
RedShirt
Microsft spel chekar vor sail, worgs grate !!!
Why can't it be that the penis enlarger companies are the ones that are suing each other into bankruptcy over patent infringement?
So if no one elese but Mailblocks can implement a decent anti-spam response due to patents. then mailblocks has a perfect protection racket. start spamming everyone to sell....anti-spam software.
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
"hello?"
"Hi is this Joe Smith of 104 spammark rd.?"
"May i ask who is calling?"
"No, you may not, we've patented the process where you ask who your talking to then decide wethere you want to continue communication, we can license that technology to you though for the special low price of $1 per use."
If it was complete, there wouldn't be any comments here, now would there?
Looks like they were right, with two exceptions :-)
See? Challenge-response. Worked perfectly.
There is no sig, there is only Zuul.
I have registered the patent for "Any technological solution to anything. Ever." I expect to be really rich, really soon.
Freemasons (similar to the Stonecutters in an episode of The Simpsons) have recently licensed the Challenge-Response technology developed by Mailblocks.
"We saw a need for technology allowing our brethren to recognize one another. The use of Challenge-Response in the form of Secret Handshakes (tm) seemed to be a good way to go about it", says an anonymous member of an unidentified lodge.
Some masons did express concerns, however, regarding the potential spread of cooties and other infectuous diseases through the use of this recognition system.
Public executions, first offence, for spammers.
Broadcast immediate, ALL channels, satellite, cable, OTA, AM/FM. ALL channels.
We interrupt this broadcast for another public execution of a spammer and as a bonus execution, three patent lawyers. Please stand by, after the executions you will be returned to your regularly scheduled programming.
Thank you."
Challenge-Response authentification routines in place, but not activated, years ago, can you say in 1993? Besides, the CONCEPT of challenge-response is older than dirt! "Halt!!, Who goes there?!" "Able Baker Carley!" "What is the password!?" "Blow Me You Patenting Bastards!" "That was the improper response!" BANG BANG. So some yokel in the patent office let this shit slip through? Naturally, they are public servants.
I'll bet the patent office wouldn't allow you to patent just plain pleading innocent or guilty.
However I'll bet that they would allow "method for pleading innocent to an internet lawsuit"
Back when I was in the Army I clearly remember learning the "Challenge" and "Response" system. "Halt, what's the password"? If you get the correct response, you let them in, if not, kill them.
Kind of seems like the same thing huh?
The opinions expressed here are not mine, but those of these dang voices in my head.
No... It's obvious that the spammers are winning because... they have big penisses. We can't do anything because of our tiny little penisses. Spammers have huge, gargantuan penisses. That's why they're winning (Apologies to South Park...)
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?