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Sun Files For Patent on Software Licensing Method

Posted by michael on from the deep-sigh dept.

cft_128 writes "CNet writes that Sun Microsystems President Jonathan Schwartz has filed for three new patents, one of them on the companies per-employee software pricing plan. The pricing patent application was summarized: 'Method for licensing software to an entity, including determining a per-employee cost for the software, determining a number of employees of the entity, and determining a total licensing cost using the number of employees and the per-employee cost, wherein the total licensing cost comprises a software license for all employees of the entity and all customers of the entity.' The plan was introduced last year on Sun's Java Enterprise System, charging $100 per employee. Schwartz did say that any money the patents generate will be donated to charities."

11 of 213 comments (clear)

  1. But Sun is cool by Hot+Summer+Nights · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sun is allowed to do this.

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    Karma: Terrible - and proud of it!
  2. Patenting... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm curious, when are they going to patent the rogue patenting method?

    1. Re:Patenting... by dead+sun · · Score: 4, Funny
      I'm curious, when are they going to patent the rogue patenting method?

      Come now, there's way too much prior art for that to be patentable.

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      If not now, when?
  3. What next ! by Dolphinzilla · · Score: 5, Funny

    Heck - what next, someone getting a patent on the combover ? Patenting of the combover

  4. In Related News by markxz · · Score: 2, Funny

    The catering firm for the local hospital gets paid per per patient

  5. Sun, the charity from hell by fireman+sam · · Score: 4, Funny

    Quote: "Schwartz did say that any money the patents generate will be donated to charities."

    Translated: "We are evil, but we will do it in a good sort of way"

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    it is only after a long journey that you know the strength of the horse.
  6. The ultimate in irony by m00nun1t · · Score: 4, Funny

    The ultimate in irony? Choosing EFF as the charity to donate the money to.

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    Read reviews of shopping cart software
  7. I am missing out by localroger · · Score: 2, Funny
    I am going to patent a novel I dea I've had, "per unit" pricing: A method by which a retailer multiplies the "number of units delivered" by a "base price" to calculate a "total charge" to be paid for said delivery.

    If that flies, next I'll patent discounts off MSRP, that'll be really slick.

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    Brackets contain world's first nanosig, highly magnified:[.]
  8. Heh. I hope they get it. by Flavius+Stilicho · · Score: 2, Funny

    Let them win. Maybe it'll keep the other idiots from using the same scam.

  9. You have 1 new message by maximilln · · Score: 5, Funny

    Relationship Change

    User SUN.COM has made you their foe.

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    +++ATHZ 99:5:80
  10. Sun is more than cool, it is cold. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Sun is allowed to go out of business, too.