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Microsoft Patents Your Local Weather Report

Posted by timothy on from the ask-your-local-ueber-monkeys dept.

theodp writes "After a seven year wait, Microsoft was granted a patent Tuesday for the Customization of network documents by accessing customization information on a server computer using unique user identifiers, patent lawyer-speak for using preferences stored on a server for such purposes as "displaying stock quotes for the companies in which the user is interested, and displaying the user's local weather report.""

5 of 437 comments (clear)

  1. Patenting "cookies" by l2718 · · Score: 2, Funny

    They seem to be patenting the "cookie" system. Were cookies first introduced by MS back when? If so, they may have the "originality" claim. I'd even concede that this solution isn't "obvious".

    Still, is this an "invention"? is this patentable? How many people here think Leibnitz should have patented integration by parts?

  2. I'd like to patent... by EvilTwinSkippy · · Score: 4, Funny
    A shape for the minimization of expose surface area for rolling bodies. Since friction is a function of surface area, the ideal shape would be one that reduces the area from a plane to a point from all directions.

    Anyone who uses the Wheel group will have to pay me royalties for use of the name.

    --
    "Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
    --Dr.W.Edwards Deming
  3. Not hype by fleener · · Score: 2, Funny

    God forbid the patent office would act responsibly and avoid a slew of lawsuits to fight frivolous patent claims. Oh wait, I see now, this is a federal welfare program for lawyers.

  4. Or the Bill Gates Way... by UncleRage · · Score: 2, Funny

    Open Windows... Look at weather.

    Sorry, but somebody had to say it.

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    #SickNotWeak
  5. ...using uniquie user identifiers by Freddles · · Score: 2, Funny

    uniquie

    I hope they haven't patented their spell checking software.