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IBM Wants Patent For Regex SSN Validation

Posted by timothy on from the noteworthy-inventions dept.

theodp writes "What do you get when you combine IBM contributors with the Dojo Foundation? A patent for Real-Time Validation of Text Input Fields Using Regular Expression Evaluation During Text Entry, assuming the newly-disclosed Big Blue patent application passes muster with the USPTO. IBM explains that the invention of four IBMers addresses a 'persistent problem that plagues Web form fields' — e.g., 'a social security number can be entered with or without dashes.' A non-legalese description of IBM's patent-pending invention can be found in The Official Dojo Documentation. While IBM has formed a Strategic Partnership With the Dojo Foundation which may protect one from a patent infringement lawsuit over validating phone numbers, concerns have been voiced over an exception clause in IBM's open source pledge."

2 of 281 comments (clear)

  1. Cuff me... by EkriirkE · · Score: 1, Redundant

    ^\d{3}-\d{2}-\d{4}$

    --
    from 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0
    to 45 2F 6E 40 3C DF 10 71 4E 41 DF AA 25 7D 31 3F
  2. Look, it's easy by riceboy50 · · Score: 1, Redundant

    /^\d{3}-?\d{2}-?\d{4}$/g
    How is that a persistent problem?

    --
    ~ I am logged on, therefore I am.