Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft Seeks Patent On Brain-Based Development

Posted by timothy on from the patent-on-defying-parody dept.

theodp writes "With its just-published patent application for Developing Software Components Based on Brain Lateralization, Microsoft provides yet another example of just how broken the patent system is. Microsoft argues that its 'invention' of having a Program Manager act as an arbitrator/communicator between a group of right-brained software users and left-brained software developers mimics 'the way that the brain communicates between its two distinct hemispheres.' One of the 'inventors' is Ray Ozzie's Technical Strategist. If granted, the patent could be used to exclude others from making, using, or selling the 'invention' for 17 years."

2 of 173 comments (clear)

  1. Re:You say that as if it's a bad thing by moderatorrater · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Usually it's not the concept of Microsoft's software that's all that bad, it's the specific implementation. This makes sure that their implementation is always the only one out there.

    Also, patenting something based on the brain is ridiculous. Might as well patent "bi pedal motion", sue everyone in the world and get it over with.

  2. Re:On the other hand... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Is Microsoft only a victim?
    Haven't they implied on more than one occasion that Linux is violating X patents?

    That sure doesn't sound like a victim...