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

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the weekends-are-fun dept.

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."

2 of 183 comments (clear)

  1. Family Tree.. by neonmonk · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Surely a family tree would be considered prior art? Just because a concept is in one of those complimicated nerdlinger putars doesn't make it unique!

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_structure .. sounds like prior art to me! Also seems pretty obvious to me!

  2. Re:FIRST by neokushan · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Tick the "Post Anonymously" box next time.

    --
    +1 IDisagreeSoHeMustBeATrollOrAnAstroturferOrAShill