Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Scribbling On Digital Photos

Posted by kdawson on from the oh-so-clever dept.

JagsLive notes a patent application filed in the US by Nokia for a way to 'scribble on the back' of digital photos. Nokia's approach is similar to the iPod's Cover Flow, except that Nokia users will be able to flip through their snaps, select one, and then turn it over and annotate the back just using SMS-like text entry. The scribble becomes an integral part of the saved photo.

3 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. Just checking... what's the primary anger here? by compumike · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Yes, this is crazy, but from reading the comments I think there are two things that need to be separated.

    1) This is bad because there is massive prior art,
    OR
    2) This is bad because it is a patent on a software concept.

    Which one is it? Number one seems to indicate legitimacy of the current patent system, and number two does not -- very different ideas, but I think slashdotters are conflating the two at the moment.

    --
    Hey code monkey... learn electronics! Powerful microcontroller kits for the digital generation.

  2. You know, I am usually a big defender of IP by BitterOldGUy · · Score: 4, Interesting

    laws, but in regards to software patents, I have to agree with you. I remember a day when software was covered by copyright and only copyright. So, if you could do the same function, only with completely different code, you had no problem. Of course now, with patents, "Hello world" could have been patented when it was first written. Or to extrapolate to physical inventions, Diesel would have run afoul of the internal combustion engine patents - if he didn't when he came out with his invention - my business history is a little fuzzy in this area.

    1. Re:You know, I am usually a big defender of IP by ed333 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      There is a decision coming down soon from the Court of Appeals of the Federal Circuit, In re Bilski, that may severely limit the scope of patentable subject matter. Hopefully, this will put an end to most software and business method patents, but we will have to wait until sometime in October to find out. Keep your fingers crossed...