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Cingular Patents the Emoticon?

Posted by Zonk on from the no-words dept.

massysett writes "Mobile phone carrier Cingular Wireless may have managed to get a patent on the emoticon. The patent describes a system for selecting a displayable icon to indicate the mood or emotion of the user. It also covers text-based emoticons, 'so presumably sending :) via an SMS - if selected via a dedicated or softkey, would be a breach of the patent in future.'" My response? >:/

13 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. Hmmm by TheSpoom · · Score: 5, Funny

    Prior art!

    --
    It's better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it.
    - E. Debs
  2. Good luck enforcing this one! by gasmonso · · Score: 5, Funny

    They can stick that patent in their (_|_).

    http://religiousfreaks.com/
    1. Re:Good luck enforcing this one! by ettlz · · Score: 5, Funny

      And they can kiss my shiny hello.jpg (=O=).

    2. Re:Good luck enforcing this one! by utexaspunk · · Score: 2, Funny

      They could also ))<>((

    3. Re:Good luck enforcing this one! by DocStoner · · Score: 4, Funny

      And all this time I thought it was a tie-fighter. That changes the intent of a lot of past conversations.

    4. Re:Good luck enforcing this one! by ettlz · · Score: 3, Funny
      And all this time I thought it was a tie-fighter.

      Now you know why Darth Vader always wore gloves.

  3. Comic Book Guy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "There Is No Emoticon For What I Am Feeling!"

    1. Re:Comic Book Guy by ndansmith · · Score: 3, Funny
      "There Is No Emoticon For What I Am Feeling!"

      Now where's my +1 Funny?

  4. Uh oh, better call the punctuation police by Mr.Fork · · Score: 2, Funny

    At first, my reaction was :O but I'm guessing a lot of us are >:( but as world government bodies are getting tired of the US patenting everything from berries to sounds :^o we sign in their general direction with our tongue firmly in cheek :p

    --
    Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things. - Peter F. Drucker
  5. My response by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    My response? >:/

    And here's mine: t(-_-)

  6. I'm speechless by Hershmire · · Score: 4, Funny
    =X
    --
    if(!toilet_paper) roll.replace(new roll); //Stupid roommates.
  7. Obligatory Simpsons ref by FusionDragon2099 · · Score: 2, Funny

    There is no emoticon for what I'm feeling!

  8. Re:We'll need to see the patent...but uh... by kjd · · Score: 2, Funny

    Have you ever sent an emoticon... on weeeeeed?