Epicrealm Uses Vague Patents to sue Web Sites

An anonymous reader writes "InfoSpinner/epicRealm holds two patents that basically describe every dynamic Web site in existence and is now using them to sue companies like eHarmony. This patent seems to describe a standard web/application server setup. This one describes 'dynamically generating a Web page in response to the request, the Web page including data dynamically retrieved from one or more data sources.' If enforced, these patents could shut down almost every dynamic site on the Internet, including the USPTO."

Comments

Suing eHarmony?

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, there goes their chance of finding a lasting, loving relationship.

I just found that ironic.

[jZnat]

Well, I think it's a good thing to happen because of the massive irony it introduces. Now, the US Government itself can be sued due to a vague and shitty patent! If this doesn't introduce any sort of patent reform, then someone will need to patent "the act of patenting something".

Re:I just found that ironic.

[Frymaster]

ow, the US Government itself can be sued due to a vague and shitty patent!

you just gave me an awesome idea!

i'm going to rush out and apply for a patent for a system "of social control wherebey a body of individuals holding a monopoly on the sole legitimate use of force (hereafter refered to as "the state") authorizes another group of non-technical people (hereafter called "the patent office") to allocate the legitimate use, distribution or communication of highly technical ideas, conepts, plans, schematics and other 'know how'".

once i get that baby rubber stamped, i can just sue them out of existence!

It will only get worse

[Nuclear Elephant]

If enforced, these patents could shut down almost every dynamic site on the Internet, including the USPTO

Perhaps that would facilitate some change. It seems that, throughout history, things only got better after they got much worse. Gas prices will probably continue soaring until we have a Boston Gas Party (which will probably be a lot more fun than the Boston Tea Party - at least in the south). The combination of asinine software patents and litigious bastards will most likely continue on too, at least until things get so bad that some as insane as suing the USPTO actually does happen - or until we have our own little patent reform party =)

RTFP (Read The Fine Patent)

[jevvim]

This isn't a patent on dynamic page generation, but about a dynamic server farm where a primary "web server" distributes dynamic page generate requests to one or more "page servers", and where each page server can maintain a cached version of the output of the dynamic page request.

As such, I'm not as concerned about "woe unto all dynamic web sites," but if I managed one that offloads and caches page generation work (i.e., Slashdot, LiveJournal, and probably a lot more) I'd probably be calling my lawyer this morning.

Web Company?

[mystik]

For a company that makes a web product, they have a pretty scarce web presence:

www.epicrealm.com == 'under construction'

www.infospinner.com == non existant

the only thing Googling for either name turns up press releases ...

Re:Quick! Someone get them to hire Darl McBride!

[tobiasly]

Dear Epicrealm,

It has recently come to my attention that you are using some vague and obscure patents in an attempt to blackmail legitimate, innovative businesses for large sums of undeserved money.

Unfortunately for you, I hold a patent on this business model and take any infringement on my intellectual property very seriously. However, I will allow you to purchase a "make money by being a litigious weasel" license for $2M which will allow you to pursue your current course of action. Otherwise, you will be sued for patent-infringement patent infringement.

Sincerely,
Darl McBride