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Netflix Sues Blockbuster for Patent Infringement
StrongGlad writes "Is the concept of renting movies over the Internet an original idea that deserves patent protection? Netflix claims it is, and is suing Blockbuster for patent infringement, alleging they are copying its seven-year-old online movie-rental business method. Netflix argues that it has patents covering its many online features, including allowing subscribers to keep DVDs for as long as they want without incurring a late fee, obtaining new DVDs upon return of those already watched, and prioritizing their own personal movie list. Blockbuster, for its part, has counterclaimed, insisting that Netflix is trying to monopolize the online movie-rental industry and stifle competition. Blockbuster also alleges that Netflix obtained its patents fraudulently by failing to disclose pertinent information to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and further contends there is nothing original about renting videos online in the first place."
[to ask] Microsoft. They might [to know]. They seem [to patent] everything anyways.
There is no mod option "-1: Disagree" for a reason. "Overrated" is not an acceptable substitute. Post something instead.
Some of those patent claims sound a little fishy, but IANAL. However, it's interesting that my main squeeze signed up for Blockbuster's service about the same time I got Netflix, and the first comment out of her mouth when describing it to me was: "It's just like Netflix!" Curiouser and curiouser...
i would agree with you if i didn't just hate blockbuster so dang much.
four bucks to rent a movie? screw you, blockbuster.
SCO is suing Netflix for stealing its business method....
I for one am rooting for the little guy.
Oh, wait...
Four?! Where the hell are you living? It's close to $7 here...
You're a marketer's wet dream!
"Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
Note to self,
Time to patent new business model that increases customer satisfaction through the extension of services at prices the customer can afford while providing support and an extended "Customer is right" attitude.
Then I can sue all the companies that have happy customers, hmmm It may be hard to find them now.
How can anyone possibly watch 35+ movies a month?
Who said anything about watching them?
Blockbuster should just patent the business of renting videos and dvd's then sue netflix and everyone else while they're at it. Then RIM could patent a 'Method and system for patenting overreaching and obvious patents' and sue both of them. First to concieve baby!
Product: Captitalism
Reported Agains: 2.0
Severity: Critical
Status: RESOLVED
Resolution: WONTFIX
Report describes proper operation of Capitalism 2.0 (see spec at Constitution/1_8#commerce). Please read project documentation before submitting further bug reports.
God, I hope that was a joke because adding DVD and internet to it shouldn't make it original.
I have lov'd his style. Surthermore, I admire the use of 'S' in place of 'f'. It just Looks Cool.
Also, he's the guy who wrote, "Fart Proudly." He is a man to be admired, and emulated. Live lustily and long, that's my motto.
Sit in front of a computer eating Cheetos, that's my life.
Microsoft is to software what Budweiser is to beer.
Did you communicate your book preference to the librarian through a series of interconnected tubes?