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Prior Art for Hyperlink Order Tracking in Email?

Posted by Cliff on from the the-'many-eyes'-concept-on-something-other-than-code dept.

Davesbud asks: "I'm trying to invalidate a patent that claims to have invented 'placing a hyperlink in an email which in turn provides the recipient with order status or tracking information.' I am searching for any web pages, articles, newsgroup/forum discussions, brochures or the like, published before December of 1997, that describes this idea. You've seen this if you've ordered almost anything online or shipped by FedEx or UPS. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks."

1 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. Here by autarkeia · · Score: 1, Troll

    How about:

    SELECT order_number FROM order WHERE customer_email = thepatentofficeisretarded@uspto.gov

    Seriously, this can't be defensible. It's a database lookup. I mean I know USPTO is fucked, but this is ridiculous.