Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Boeing Granted Patent On Mobile Wireless Lan

Posted by Hemos on from the yay dept.

xoip writes "Boeing Corporation has been granted Patent number 6,990,338 Mobile Wireless Local Area Network and Related Methods. The Luddite Lounge questions the wisdom of granting a patent that leverages existing technology and grants protection based on the application of this technology."

1 of 41 comments (clear)

  1. Actually this might not be so bad by MikeRT · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The RF characteristics of this wireless network are specifically tailored to meet applicable standards for electromagnetic compatibility with aircraft systems and RF exposure levels for passengers and flight crews.

    A decent federal judge would look at that and say that the patent only applies to aircraft networks, since the gist of it seems to be that this technique is only really applicable to aircraft systems. I can't imagine a single reason why you'd need something special for a train or bus considering you don't have to turn off mobile, networked devices on either of those modes of transportation.

    Yes, it's stupid, but at least this doesn't seem to be a blatant as "we patent the idea of putting a server on something with wings, wheels or a rudder."