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Software Installation/Update via Internet Patented

Posted by timothy on from the 35-claims dept.

RKBA writes "My wife just handed me an article from the Wednesday, October 22, 2003 issue of the Wall Street Journal about a tiny Austin, TX company called Bluecurrent that has been awarded patent No. 6,636,857 covering the Internet installation of any software or settings on new computers. The patent was granted by the USPTO on October 21, 2003. It will be interesting to see if it can be enforced. I think it's time for someone to file a patent on Earth, Fire, and Water. ;-)"

3 of 519 comments (clear)

  1. It Gets Worse by John_McKee · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to the WSJ article, They have already found a law firm willing to pursue the claim for a contingency fee.

    "Mr. Thomas said Bluecurrent intends to seek royalties of $10 to $25 for each time a new computer has software or other settings updated over the Web."

  2. RTFA! by bigHairyDog · · Score: 5, Informative

    NO! This is *not* a patent "covering the Internet installation of any software or settings on new computers".

    This is a patent covering backing up preferences on a remote server so that someone can safely upgrade their OS or move computers.

    To recap:

    1. We are not all going to die
    2. It's all going to be OK
    3. Profit!

    I wish /.ers would check their facts before screaming how the sky is going to fall on our heads every time the USPTO grants a patent.


    --

    foo mane padme hum

  3. Parent correct -- read the abstract! by jhujoe · · Score: 5, Informative
    Abstract The method and system of the present invention provides an improved technique for replacing, implementing and managing computer-related assets. A technician accesses the World Wide Web through a user's computer. The information resident on the computer, including information regarding the computer and the user's preferences, are downloaded to a remote storage medium through the World Wide Web. Once downloaded, all information may be removed from the user's computer. Subsequently, the technician accesses another computer such as, for example, a new computer that has been assigned to the same user. The technician accesses the World Wide Web through the new computer and downloads the information previously stored on the remote storage medium. This information can then be used to install the user's prior applications, settings and preferences on the new computer.
    As the parent noted, as would anybody who actually took the time to read the patent abstract (which apparently does NOT the original poster), this patent is for using the web as a place to migrate settings and data from one computer to another.

    Now, in my opinion, the actual patent is also ridiculous and way too broad in scope, but not nearly as bad as the picture painted by /.