Slashdot Mirror
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."
Since when are business models subject to patent rights? Products, yes, but business models?
How exactly is renting movies online an original or novel idea? I think Netflix is feeling the pinch in their pockets from Blockbuster and is resorting to some desperate measures. I really hope the courts send a message to businesses that patent lawsuits are not just another source of income.
Go Illini!!!
SCO is suing Netflix for stealing its business method....
Maybe blockbuster could countersue for the business model of renting movies on a recorded meduim and then returning them to rent of others.
My Computer Music Tutorial Videos
I'm a big netflix fan. I got into it in order to re-watch the entire xfiles series last year. I also like the story of its origins: someone finally got sick of ridiculous late-fee charges, and in answer, blockbuster lost mega business. Blockbuster countered with its own service which I thought was not doing well against netflix. This latest news seems to indicate otherwise.
But netflix using patent laws this way is crazy. Blockbuster should counter with the charge that they own the ability to perform the action of receiving monetary units for analogue and digital copies of light and audio produced theatrical and documentary events....
"All great things are simple & expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." --Churchill
In his autobiography, he recounts that he was offered a patent on a new
kind of stove he invented that was a tremendous improvement in terms of
heating a building and in reducing the amount of wood needed.
He declined this patent, stating that from "Principle which has ever
weigh'd with me on such Occasions, viz."...
"That as we enjoy great Advantages from the Inventions of others, we
should be glad of an Opportunity to serve others by any Invention of
ours, and this we should do freely and generously."
But screw that, right?
Sugapablo
For further reference, here are the patents:
6,966,484
Mailing and response envelope
Abstract
A mailing and response envelope for conveying an item from a sender to a recipient and back is disclosed. The envelope comprises a base panel, a sender address panel, and a recipient address panel. The sender address panel is affixed to the base panel by an adhesive region. The sender address panel and adhesive region define a pocket sized to accept an item. The adhesive region extends laterally on the base panel in an amount selected to ensure that a postal cancellation is not applied to an area overlying the item. The recipient address panel is joined to the base panel by a detachable joint. In this configuration, a fragile item may be conveyed from the sender to the recipient and from the recipient back to the sender without damage to the item.
7,024,381
Approach for renting items to customers
Abstract
According to a computer-implemented approach for renting items to customers, customers specify what items to rent using item selection criteria separate from deciding when to receive the specified items. According to the approach, customers provide item selection criteria to a provider provides the items indicated by the item selection criteria to customer over a delivery channel. The provider may be either centralized or distributed depending upon the requirements of a particular application. A "Max Out" approach allows up to a specified number of items to be rented simultaneously to customers. A "Max Turns" approach allows up to a specified number of item exchanges to occur during a specified period of time. The "Max Out" and "Max Turns" approaches may be used together or separately with a variety of subscription methodologies.
Developers: We can use your help.
I'd rather see them buried by the market than the legal system.
Developers: We can use your help.
When I lived in London in the 50's Harrods had a lending library. You paid a monthly fee and they assigned a librarian to you. He/she (mostly she) picked out books for you - or you could request specific titles. The books were delivered in Harrods green electric vans. When you'd finished a book Harrods would pick it up and ship you another one. Sound like a familiar business model? It even involved technology (the electric vans).
(I've posted this information before, but it seems to bear repeating.)
They certainly developed a silver bullet of a model. I had an interesting experience recently: dropped a fistful of mail into the box at the Post Office, then came to the sickly realization that I had put neither postage nor return-address stamps on. The postmistress sent a helpful clerk -- yes, I said helpful P.O. clerk -- to open the box and stand watch while I rooted out my envelopes.
That bin was almost a sea of red. Netflix envelopes by the TON. I commented on that, and the clerk said yes, the P.O. was proud of the special handling deal they have.
Netflix is now the fifth largest user of first-class mail. At the cities where they have processing centers a Netflix truck drops a load of outbound envelopes bagged by ZIP code and pre-sorted down to carrier route, and picks up the incoming directly off the dock.
rj