Microsoft Assembles Patent Arsenal for Longhorn

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Microsoft Assembles Patent Arsenal for Longhorn

Posted by michael on Tuesday May 4, 2004 @05:06AM from the playing-keep-away dept.

stock writes "The heat is on. Inside eweek.com are some remarkable articles: 'You see, Microsoft is busy patenting everything it can lay its hands on with all three. In fact, Microsoft is now building up its patent arsenal, applying for a rather amazing 10 patents a day. The idea isn't to ensure that Microsoft makes a fair profit from its patents; it's to make sure that no one else can write fully compatible software.' An older article mentions some other patents."

15 of 571 comments (clear)

Patent to apply for by raider_red · 2004-05-04 05:08 · Score: 4, Funny

I'm applying for a patent on my business model which involves abusing American Intellectual Property law by filing endless frivolous patents. (I'm hoping MS and SCO don't try to claim prior art.)

--
It's good to use your head, but not as a battering ram.
1. Re:Patent to apply for by Anonymous Coward · 2004-05-04 05:15 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Sorry, but your joke is already prior art.
Hey, I'd do it too... by 1000101b · 2004-05-04 05:10 · Score: 2, Funny

Gates and Co. didn't get rich by giving away software. This approach seems to have worked well for them in the past.

--
Live wrong, impostor.
Karma Whores Coming ... by stinkyfingers · 2004-05-04 05:13 · Score: 3, Funny

This is one of those articles where everyone gets to rehash the same old MS bashing. Then, they all get modded up. Easier for me to read because all the responses are 5, Interesting. When can we get our next iTunes article?
1. Re:Karma Whores Coming ... by elwell642 · 2004-05-04 05:21 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  And isn't your post the expected response to said articles, giving you a 5, Funny... or maybe even Insightful?
  
  I guess that would make me the -1, Troll reply, too...
  
  --
  <insert witty linux comment here>
"Microsoft Inventor" Software by AtariAmarok · 2004-05-04 05:17 · Score: 5, Funny

Has anyone else tried the "Microsoft Inventor" application? I think Bill has the only copy, but it has a function where it automatically submits random word strings to the US patent office as complete patent applications.
Sample output:
e-commerce
e-communism
e-constipation
e-conifer
one-click shopping
one-click shipping
one-clock shopping
one-click slapping
BASIC
ADA
difference engine
mouse
rat
.....
Not only this, but it can generate 1,400 patent applications per day, all conveniently dated to 1878 so you can beat everyone to the punch. Microsoft "Created" this after it embraced and extended a third-party password-guesser program.

--
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
Huzzah for title truncation! by American+AC+in+Paris · 2004-05-04 05:46 · Score: 5, Funny

Thanks to Mozilla's tabs, the title for this article displays as:
Slashdot | Microsoft Assembles Patent Arse...

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Obliteracy: Words with explosions
Patent the flaws by erik_norgaard · 2004-05-04 05:53 · Score: 2, Funny

I really think this is great, if Microsoft will patent all the flaws and then fight in court to prevent anyone making the same mistakes :-) Did they patent their nine-time-reboot technology yet?

Cheers, Erik
Breaking News! by Prince+Vegeta+SSJ4 · 2004-05-04 06:14 · Score: 3, Funny

04.05.04 - The Associated press reports that Microsoft has just been granted an Agricultural Patent, yes thats AGRICULTURAL.
You may ask how in the hell they managed this one, but it seems they have devised a novel way to herd Worms. They just set boxes of Windows out in the fields, and the worms just keep rollin in. AMAZING. Wormherders everywhere are jumping for joy.
Even master wormhered Paul Maud'dib had to give them credit.
10 patents a day? by Carlos+Silva · 2004-05-04 06:38 · Score: 2, Funny

Maybe they are just busy patenting all the worms :)
Re:Why? by thomas.galvin · 2004-05-04 06:43 · Score: 2, Funny

Microsoft HQ (to the tune of Badger Badger Badger):

Patent patent patent patent
Patent patent patent patent
Lock in, lock in!

Patent patent patent patent
Patent patent patent patent
Lock in, lock in!

I think I saw a Mac, a Mac!

At the DoJ, FTC, et al:

<crickets chirping, tumble weeds roll by>

--
Thomas Galvin
Re:the evidence that the day is coming is mounting by Phillup · 2004-05-04 07:04 · Score: 2, Funny

You are right... they should be worried.

Remember, in ten years... hardware will be free.

Just ask MicroSoft.

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--Phillip

Can you say BIRTH TAX
Re:the evidence that the day is coming is mounting by _Sprocket_ · 2004-05-04 08:09 · Score: 2, Funny

There are always two - a master and an apprentice. And long ago, the apprentice became the master. ;)
Re:This is why there needs to be "Defensive Patent by aeryn_sunn · 2004-05-04 09:43 · Score: 3, Funny

You don't even have to publish it in a Journal...you could publish it in your Online Church newsletter and it would still be counted as published....

i.e.
Our Lord Christ the Savior Virgin Mary Church of Obedience Newsletter,

May 5th, Wednesday night service at 6:30 pm
May 9th, Bible Vacation school starts
May 14th, sunrise breakfast

Please congratulate Brother Jeb for coming up with a process that uses a database that uses cookies on a congregate's website to make tithings through a remote payment system that remembers the congregate's information so future tithing can be done via a one-click process

May 21st, Movie night, Passion of the Christ
May 28th, Friday night bookclub discussion, "The Da Vacini Code" fact or fiction?

This would count as publication
Re:This is why there needs to be "Defensive Patent by Anonymous Coward · 2004-05-04 09:54 · Score: 1, Funny

We live in an age when people's pet dogs have web pages, and you think the bar for publishing is too high?