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Australian Gov't Moves To Block E-commerce Patent

Posted by timothy on from the ones-and-zeros dept.

ColaMan writes "Surfacing in the Australian version of GoogleNews, moves are afoot to block a patent covering (it seems) general ecommerce practices on the internet. This comes after the recent strongarm tactics against New Zealand businesses by D.E. Technologies , holder of the patent overseas."

8 of 103 comments (clear)

  1. Abuse, once more... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Like many stories lately, this is another example of companies abusing Patents...

    I guess that if you can't find a good way to make money, just patent something, and sue the hell out of everybody...

  2. it's going to get worse before it gets better ppl. by professorhojo · · Score: 4, Funny

    this is almost as ridiculous as that guy who successfully patented the HYPERLINK.

    which is in turn, easily less rediculous than comnpanies who actually PAID to use the hyperlinks.

  3. Common Sense? by n0nsensical · · Score: 2, Funny

    The letter then warns that if D.E. Technologies is forced to litigate and succeeds, it will be entitled to an injunction against the website in question, damages and costs...The last paragraph of the letter adds: "We trust commonsense will prevail and look forward to hearing from you within the above deadline."

    Oh yeah, D.E. Technologies knows all about common sense.

  4. Re:Additional coverage in NZ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    you should sneak a porn link in there somewhere next time you post

  5. Re:Additional coverage in NZ by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Funny

    Next time I'll find a link to a Japanese dancing robot with more tentacles, just for you.

    --
    One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  6. Questionable step. by Krapangor · · Score: 4, Funny
    It seems to me that the Aussies are motivated by questionable reasons.
    How many Australian companies hold E-commerce patents ?
    Well, this answer is: none.
    So, while e-commerce patents are indeed questionable by nature the Austrilian goverment is lead by very different reasons to void them: They want to give their own Aussie based companies a commercial advantage over US competitors. Australian companies won't have to invest money into the development of innovative, high-tech business model and are protect from paying any patent fees by Australian law. Thus they gain a huge advantage by cutting their e-commerce cost by 20 percent.

    I think the Bush goverment should finally remember their responsibilities and instead of providing their business buddies with cheap Iraqi oil, they should make pressure on the Australian goverment to take down these laws which are btw contradicting the WIPO agreement Australia signed itself, too. It's the duty of a goverment to act for the benefit of all citizens and not just their own supporters and conservative think-tank pals.

    --
    Owner of a Mensa membership card.
  7. Re:e-Commerce patents? by EvilTwinSkippy · · Score: 3, Funny
    (Ratzen fratzen... can't post in all caps.)
    hello,

    i am writing you of a wonderful business
    oppertunity in nigeria. my father was gumbo
    aiduiuda creator of the patent for e-commerce.

    i am the rightful heir to the fortune that has
    become him. but being persecuted by the regime of
    douy, cheetum and howe, i cannot move the money
    out of nigeria.

    in exchange for the use your bank account i am
    willing to share 20% of the sum of $3 billion
    dollars.
    --
    "Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
    --Dr.W.Edwards Deming
  8. Re:it's going to get worse before it gets better p by EvilTwinSkippy · · Score: 3, Funny

    The expression "Patently Obvious" takes on a whole new meaning.

    --
    "Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
    --Dr.W.Edwards Deming