Microsoft's Decade-old Patent On Tree-view Mode!

BhaKi writes "Remember the Tree-View mode in many file management applications? It's shocking to know that this omnipresent feature was patented by Microsoft back in 1995 (granted in 1997). I'm not very sure about the implications, though. The patent is so general that it can be related to many things from tree-mode to virtual filesystems. Check out claim no. 3 of the patent for the most clear part."

Comments

This infringes on my 1992 patent... on trees

[Anonymous Coward]

I patented trees in general in 1992. I'm going to sue.

Re:This infringes on my 1992 patent... on trees

[brxndxn]

I patented dirt.. Want to apply for a license? Without my dirt license, you can grow no trees.

Re:This infringes on my 1992 patent... on trees

[multisync]

Without my dirt license, you can grow no trees.

Ever hear of hydroponics?

Re:This infringes on my 1992 patent... on trees

[Tablizer]

Reminds me of a old joke:

One day a group of Darwinian scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one Darwinian to go and tell Him that they were done with Him.

The Darwinian walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no
longer need you. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't you just get lost."

God listened very patiently and kindly to the man. After the Darwinian was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this? Let's say we have a man-making contest." To which the Darwinian happily agreed.

God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old
days with Adam."

The Darwinian said, "Sure, no problem" and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt.

God interrupted, saying, "Hold it. You go get your OWN dirt!!"
           

Re:This infringes on my 1992 patent... on trees

[Tablizer]

If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. - Carl Sagan

Hell of a way to frighten away potential wives. No wonder nerds have problems in that area. It's like the dating couple admiring horses galloping in the sunshine, when the geeky guy turns to the girl and says, "You know, the purpose of a horse's tail is to keep flies off of its anus." Date over.
   

Re:This infringes on my 1992 patent... on trees

[jonbryce]

Yes they do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsai

Re:This infringes on my 1992 patent... on trees

[DarkOx]

You claim that trees don't grown in dirt but soil, but then link a definition for dirt where the number one entry is "earth or soil". Cleary from your own link dirt is often a synonym for soil.

I would like to point out that you can't use a dictionary.

Re:This infringes on my 1992 patent... on trees

[Paradigm_Complex]

Uh, yeah, of course he has, but that's been patented too, silly. The guy with the patent to hydroponics is a jerk and won't license it out. brxndxn is cool, though, and it'd be a lot easier to just license dirt from brxndxn.

Disclaimer: brxndxn did not pay me to say this, I'm just a happy customer.

Re:This infringes on my 1992 patent... on trees

[Anonymous Coward]

I always tell my wife those things :-)

Re:This infringes on my 1992 patent... on trees

[cp.tar]

If you were to combine the patent on dirt and the tree view, you would effectively kill the keeping of potted plants in cubicles. :-P

So whom would companies employ then?

Slashdot's in trouble

[Tablizer]

Hell, its vague enough to cover slashdot's hierarchical nesting message view. Pay up, slashy!

Re:Why do people link ad-laden patent sites?

[Tablizer]

I notice that many of the flowchart illustrations are purely linear; no branches or loops. Why bother with a flowchart for such? Just do a text step list of the common kind:

1. Collect panties
2. Make a web-site about collected panties
3. Put Google Ads on it
4. Profit!

(List for illustration purposes only. Profits not guaranteed. Collecting panties risks lawsuits and may pose an environmental hazard.)
   

Re:Nice...

[Purity Of Essence]

I'm offended, you insensitive clod!

Re:Family Tree..

[Tablizer]

Surely a family tree would be considered prior art?

Then why can't I use a mouse to drag my mother-in-law to the recycle bin?
       

Re:Family Tree..

[Anonymous Coward]

[Family Tree] Then why can't I use a mouse to drag my mother-in-law to the recycle bin?

Use a biological mouse, then she'll jump in all by herself.
     

Re:Why do people link ad-laden patent sites?

[ksd1337]

You forgot the "???". (I own the patent to it, so you'll have to pay me for it.)

Re:Why do people link ad-laden patent sites?

[mcrbids]

(... Collecting panties risks lawsuits and may pose an environmental hazard.)

Man, oh man. What kind of chix do you DATE!?!?!?

Re:Why do people link ad-laden patent sites?

[Tablizer]

[panties environmental hazard] Man, oh man. What kind of chix do you DATE!?!?!?

Hey, don't knock spicy-burrito-loving chicks until you've been with one.