Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft Applies For Patent On Private Browsing

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the mine-mine-mine dept.

PhilDEE writes "Microsoft is in the process of applying for two patents for a private browsing mode in their next version of Internet Explorer — a feature already present in Safari, among other browsers."

16 of 181 comments (clear)

  1. Typical .. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    1. Search for useful features already in use by other products
    2. Patent the unpatented
    3. ???
    4. PROFIT $$

  2. Microsoft: by Inglix+the+Mad · · Score: 5, Funny

    We didn't make it first, but that won't stop us from trying to patent it!

    --
    People say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Why? Is there any shortage of bad ones?
    1. Re:Microsoft: by V!NCENT · · Score: 5, Funny

      Mister Ballmer, this is our lawyer. Our Lawyer, this is mister Ballmer. (Nice to meat you). Uhhhhh we have this little piece of paper that shows evidence that we made it first. It is called prior art. Something you are probably familiar with. Uhhhhm... err... it basically come down to this -"Hey can I just like... interrupt for a bit? Heh. Can't we make a settlement?" - sure what's on your mind -"Well we, ofcourse, have a lot of money, so if you can keep this, you know... quiet than we are uhm... sort of 'willing' to give you a, what we like to caaaall, compensation of some sort?" - yeah, sure.

      --
      Here be signatures
    2. Re:Microsoft: by Godji · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nice to meat you

      Given that you're talking about lawyers, I don't think that's a spelling mistake...

  3. A word of warning ... by bwthomas · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've got a business process patent that I think Microsoft should be aware of: "A specific process and procedure for patenting pre-existing technology in order to build a patent portfolio which can be leveraged using the court system to gain substantive competitive advantage."

    1. Re:A word of warning ... by BitterOldGUy · · Score: 3, Funny

      I've got a business process patent that I think Microsoft should be aware of: "A specific process and procedure for patenting pre-existing technology in order to build a patent portfolio which can be leveraged using the court system to gain substantive competitive advantage."

      I already found a way around it: A specific process and procedure for patenting existing technology in order to build a patent portfolio which can be leveraged using the court system to gain substantive competitive advantage.

      Ha ha! You have a patent for PRE-existing technology whereas, I have a patent for EXISTING technology. Which means your patent patents mine ..Oh Shit!

  4. ignoring the patent isssue by larry+bagina · · Score: 5, Funny

    putting a private browser mode on IE is like putting a shit filter on your ass. Or a lameness filter oin slashdot.

    --
    Do you even lift?

    These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.

  5. Why haven't the patented... by rallymatte · · Score: 3, Funny

    the web browser already? Is it too late?

  6. For uhm... medical conditions by mrvan · · Score: 4, Funny

    FTFA:

    Users may wish to turn on the privacy mode if they are planning a surprise party, buying presents or researching a medical condition and do not want others users of the same computer to find out.

    Yeah, right...

    1. Re:For uhm... medical conditions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      or donkey porn. I wouldn't want my wife finding out about the donkey porn!

    2. Re:For uhm... medical conditions by LinuxIdiot · · Score: 3, Funny

      Or you know researching methods to kill someone as recently seen in news reports where forensic computer research showed people researching "undetectable ways to kill someon"

  7. Standard post about patenting patents by Random+BedHead+Ed · · Score: 2, Funny

    This is the standard post mentioning the apparently humorous idea of patenting the idea of patenting obvious ideas, thus being able to sue companies like Microsoft who do so (a joke that is often described as "ironic," even though it isn't). This joke occurs in each article pertaining to obvious patents that appears in Slashdot's Patents section, though from this point forward I will be taking personal responsibility for including it, freeing others to focus on making more original and insightful criticisms of the USPTO.

    Thank you for visiting the Slashdot Patents section.

  8. Re:Trademark not patent by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 2, Funny

    What? You expect Slashdot "editors" to "edit"? How much dope do you smoke, pal...

    --
    If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
  9. Re:Trademarks, not patents! by miserere+nobis · · Score: 2, Funny

    Apparently BBC reporters are like us, and don't necessarily feel the need to RTFA before writing and publishing some reporting or opinion about it.

    Glad to see the mainstream media is finally getting with it and learning how to properly make use of the Interweb!

  10. Re:Really? by greenpanda · · Score: 3, Funny

    "PornBrowsing®" is their next feature. It's like private browsing, but "goes deeper".

    --
    PHP
  11. Re:No, they cannot... by GNUALMAFUERTE · · Score: 2, Funny

    Actually, you DON'T RTFA

    Karma-whore

    --
    WTF am I doing replying to an AC at 5 A.M on a Friday night?