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Multi-Channel Communication Patent Up For Sale

Posted by kdawson on from the can-you-say-prior-art dept.

OTDR alerts us to the latest software patent stupidity in the news as patent number 6,418,462, "methods allowing clients to perform tasks through a sideband communication channel, in addition to the main communication channel between a client and server," snubs its nose at AJAX, ftp, and decades of prior art and goes on sale next month in San Fransisco. "Singled out are AJAX mashups including Google Maps and Gmail, and Microsoft 'Live'... Also in the frame are Amazon's S3 and EC2 and clusters from Microsoft, VMware, and Oracle. eBay's Skype, Napster, and Microsoft's Groove are also listed as potentially infringing on the patent in P2P."

6 of 97 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Patent Link by MikeDirnt69 · · Score: 4, Funny

    This remind me when MS started patenting everything, like 'tabbed browsing' and 'double click'. It will never end.

    I wonder if anyone ever dreamed requesting the patent for the power button: 'Nobody will ever turn something on without paying me royalties! MUHAHAHA!'

    Sorry for that. :)

    --
    Am I eval()? - http://www.monst3r.com.br
  2. Probably consulting legal team by Kenrod · · Score: 4, Funny


    The inventor of 2 cans and a string could not be reached for comment.

    --
    Good heavens Miss Sakamoto - you're beautiful!
    1. Re:Probably consulting legal team by explosivejared · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, I think you're forgetting the fact that he got sued into the poorhouse by the guy who invented string and cans, subsequently dying of starvation.

      --
      I got a catholic block.
  3. Re:Starting Bid by Poltras · · Score: 4, Funny

    I bid 25c. If I win, I grant a free unlimited license to everyone so long as they do not sue anyone for patent infringement. Except Microsoft. Screw 'em. And except Anonymous Cowards and users whose IDs start with 746004.

    --
    Of Code And Men
  4. Re:typo fix by msuarezalvarez · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...it is quite a task to find it as it is!

  5. Re:Starting Bid by Mathinker · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ah, but then you should know about my filing #938320383 "Characterizing AJAX users' Slashdot ID's and posting behavior" :

    Claim 1. A method for inferring the Slashdot user id, and/or propensity for posting on Slashdot as Anonymous Coward, of an entity using AJAX, via the use of a priori knowledge.

    Claim 2. A method for inferring the Slashdot user id, and/or propensity for posting on Slashdot as Anonymous Coward, of an entity using AJAX, via the use of a posteriori knowledge.

    Claim 3. A method for inferring the Slashdot user id, and/or propensity for posting on Slashdot as Anonymous Coward, of an entity using AJAX, via the use of both a priori and a posteriori knowledge.

    Claim 4. ....