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20+ Companies Sued Over OS Permissions Patent

Posted by timothy on from the advancing-the-useful-arts-and-sciences dept.

freemywrld writes "According to the article on Ars Technica, Microsoft, Symantec and 20 other companies are being sued over patents covering 'systems for governing application and data permissions, as well as ensuring application integrity.' The patents were granted in the 90's to the Information Protection and Authentication of Texas (IPAT). From the article: 'A response from any of the defendants is still forthcoming, and it is unclear whether the authentication and permissions systems that IPAT's patent describes are precluded by prior art. Even if IPAT has a leg to stand on in court, however, it certainly didn't take the easy route to recovering any damages by suing 22 companies.'"

15 of 282 comments (clear)

  1. I'm Scared by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Funny

    I just entered "chmod 755" on a directory so other users could not modify my data. When can I expect the cease and desist order?

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    1. Re:I'm Scared by gustar · · Score: 5, Funny

      A summons to cease and desist is speeding on its way to you as we speak. I took the liberty of including a list of other activities you should immediately cease and desist due to patents which I hold... for example the use of a paper product for the removal of excrement after defecating... I patented that idea and am looking to seek damages for illegal/uncompensated use of said concept.

    2. Re:I'm Scared by Al+Al+Cool+J · · Score: 1, Funny

      Wait. There are paper products you can use for that?! What a great idea. I just wish somebody had told me this sooner.

      Thank you, from the heart of my bottom. My pet gerbil "Browny" thank you too.

    3. Re:I'm Scared by TrashGod · · Score: 2, Funny

      Re: use of a paper product(s)...
      Congratulations, you have prevailed at trial. As the court has ordered specific performance in lieu of money damages, I am sending you all infringing materials, here enclosed.

  2. Re:Isn't it a bit late for this? by gustar · · Score: 2, Funny

    Considering that the patents were granted back in 1994 and 1995, isn't 2009 a little bit late

    It is never to late to sue someone! Slow economic times are the best time to do so. Why pour countless hours into developing good idea/products when you can hire lawyers instead!

  3. Re:Good luck with that by moniker127 · · Score: 5, Funny

    What the hell are you babling about?

  4. Penny Arcade -- ahead of their time by efalk · · Score: 2, Funny

    This comic says it all. http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2009/1/2/

  5. Re:Good luck with that by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    What the hell are you babling about?

    You must be Republican.

  6. Re:What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Ok I know that there's a GmailFS that uses your Gmail space as a filesystem that you can mount and stuff. Is there an equivalent one for AnonymousPostFS that encrypts and replicates your data out to open comment fields (you'd probably need a few copies incase one died)

  7. Re:What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Look at his name/UID/comment history, do you think he gives a shit? Dickhead.

  8. Re:Location, location, location by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    We really _should_ give Texas back to Mexico.

  9. Re:Botting by agendi · · Score: 5, Funny

    Great idea. I'm patenting it now!

    --
    I just can't be bothered.
  10. Re:What? by Tubal-Cain · · Score: 2, Funny

    What encryption did they use? Rot-13 twice?

  11. Re:Location, location, location by ProfM · · Score: 3, Funny

    The question is .... would they take it?

  12. Re:Location, location, location by MonoSynth · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...or just make it a separate country so you guys don't have to fly half way round the earth to attack a religious extremist country that happens to float on oil.