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Is Google AutoLink Patent-Pending By Microsoft?

Posted by timothy on from the what-would-ben-franklin-do dept.

theodp writes "While Google pooh-poohed any comparison of its controversial AutoLink feature to Microsoft's SmartTag technology, Google's generation of dynamic links to maps and use of ISBN numbers to trigger links to booksellers cover the same territory as Microsoft's 2000 patent application for Providing electronic commerce actions based on semantically labeled strings, whose sole inventor - Jeff Reynar - was the lead SmartTag Program Manager while at MS and is reportedly now a Google Product Manager who's being credited as AutoLink's creator. Reynar's patent applications that have been assigned to Microsoft, including one for Smart Links and Tags, describe a world of 'recognizer' plug-ins that automatically look at every document a user creates, receives or views, transmitting messages to 'action' plug-ins - and even to the plug-ins' authors - that can be used to decide what info you'll be presented with, what options you'll be given, what price you'll pay for goods, and even who you'll be permitted to buy from."

6 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Your Rights Online? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For the love of michael, just make a legal section. This is not about our rights. Not yours, not mine, just Google's. Sheesh.

    1. Re:Your Rights Online? by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This is not about our rights. Not yours, not mine, just Google's. Sheesh.

      No, this is about everyone's rights except Microsoft- which includes me, you, and Google. Just because you may not want to implement a goofy smart-tag-like technology doesn't mean you haven't lost the right to do it.

    2. Re:Your Rights Online? by ArmchairGenius · · Score: 5, Insightful
      I think it is about our rights. Our rights to new products and technological innovations that are being suppressed from us by large companies that are creating monopolies of technology through the patent system.

      Patents are (at least arguably) a necessary mechanism, but the way patents are being used in the United States is a problem. Especially when patents are being issued that are clearly barred by prior art and then used to extort money from small businesses that cannot afford to fight those patents. See the EFF for more info.

      --
      Armchairgenius.com - Where everyone is a genius.
  2. In two words... by datastalker · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...who cares?

    Eventually, as in every other case like this, there will be a lawsuit.

    One side will win, the other won't. In either case, the loser will just change some small piece of the technology, and it will no longer infringe, if it even did in the first place.

    The lawyers will get rich.

    None of us will be affected in the slightest.

    Cynical? Maybe. But before moderating, ask yourself if I'll end up being right.

    --
    Find out about the Lexus Rx400h Hybrid!
  3. google has evolved by pair-a-noyd · · Score: 5, Insightful

    from a search engine to the worlds largest e-commerce engine.

    When I search for, for instance, HP Laserjet schematics, I get 40 pages of assholes peddling toner cartridges and refill kits.

    That's NOT what I asked for, I want to find schematics that I can view. I don't want to buy a frigging CDROM with schematics on ebay, or laddersearch or toner carts or any of the other nonsense that google throws at me.

    God I despise google. It has become the most useless of all search engines but the most profitable of all investments for online peddlers..

  4. Re:Tracking in such an evil sense by bonch · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Things like this are the last things that concern me about Google. I'm more interested in the fact they have an ex-NSA guy with security clearance working there, and freely state in all their privacy policies that they will happily give in to any governmental requests to turn over user data. This includes your Gmail (which they freely state might remain indefinitely on their systems, even after deletion, and get searched at any time), your search terms and habits (the infamous Google cookie that logs your IP and is set to expire in 2038), and so on.

    I know it sounds paranoid, but considering Google's insane amount of traffic, and the fact the majority of their traffic comes from outside the US, coupled with their employee ties with the government and their past privacy issues, I've tended to stop using Google so much. Also, their search results have really begun to suck since 2003. Using Google to find anything is a frustrating experience.