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Microsoft Files For 3 Parallel Processing Patents
theodp writes "Microsoft may have been a Johnny-come-lately when it comes to parallel programming, but that's not stopping the software giant from trying to patent it. This week, the USPTO revealed that Microsoft has three additional parallel-processing patents pending — 1. Partitioning and Repartitioning for Data Parallel Operations, 2. Data Parallel Searching, and 3. Data Parallel Production and Consumption. Informing the USPTO that 'Software programs have been written to run sequentially since the beginning days of software development,' Microsoft adds there's been a '[recent] shift away from sequential execution toward parallel execution.' Before they grant the patents, let's hope the USPTO gets a second opinion on the novelty of Microsoft's parallel-processing patent claims."
Yes but... ;-0
The big question is:
If the three patents are 'processed in parallel' by the USPTO, would that constituate prior art
maybe james joyce was a patent examiner
Well, you gotta give it to Microsoft this time. It seems that these patents are all real and do cover significant innovation and no prior art. What's right is right. When you invent something you have to protect your invention.
After all patents were made to protect the little inventor from big companies, and this is a great example of the patent system working beautifully
They may be coming in late on the parallel processing game, but they're ahead when it needs to patent it. They'd patent parallel parking if they could.
All the sexy babes want me... to fix their PC.
Looks like they won't stop until they can patent breathing too. ...Ballmer, don't even think about it, I said it first.
Microsoft is the most innovative company of all time. Their products are superior to all others, otherwise why would so many people use them? I mean, vista is awesome, it came right at a great time and really expanded the capability of computers. I cant wait for Microsoft to release a new operating system every 2 years, its awesome! I also really like how they are going to limit the number of processes on certain systems. Its SO confusing to determine how many processes my hardware can support. I hope Microsoft gets the patents, as they have been an outstanding corporate innovator for the last 12 years.
This is Slashdot.
1) We rarely read the articles here.
2) We sometimes read the summaries.
3) Heck we often don't even read or understand the posts we reply to (or moderate)!
So a link to the most complex novel in the English language is wasted on us.
You tell him! Why, all those truly parallel massive Windows supercomputer system installations just blow those Linux boxes in the top500 away when they're doing real work.
Like... Like... help me out here, I'm lost for an example.
Help stamp out iliturcy.