Yahoo! Sues Xfire For Patent Infringement

Posted by timothy on Sunday February 6, 2005 @08:42AM from the patent-as-bully-stick dept.

CheesyPeteza writes "GameSpot is reporting that the popular game messenger client Xfire is being sued by Yahoo for patent infringement. The patent was originally granted to two Yahoo employees who developed GameProwler for Yahoo Messenger. It describes a system which "allows users to use a game server in connection with a messenger server to permit 'buddies' to know when other 'buddies' are playing games online, and easily join such games." One of these employees then left Yahoo to work for Xfire. Xfire denies infringing on Yahoo's patent, but with the costs estimated at $2 million to defend this cas, will the startup company Xfire be able to stand up to the Yahoo giant?"

1 of 174 comments (clear)

Min score:

Reason:

Sort:

Gamespy is guilty too by X0563511 · 2005-02-06 08:46 · Score: 5, Insightful

Well, then Gamespy is guilty. Buddy Tracker and Chat system. Integrated (if you are subscribed)

So is Steam. Buddy system and Chat system. (integrated)

So are half-a-dozen other serverbrowsers that have a buddy list.

What a stupid patent! This is why patents should not be allowed to exist in software.

--
For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...