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Paul Allen Files Patent Suit Against Apple, Google, Yahoo, Others

mewshi_nya writes "A firm run by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen filed suit alleging 11 technology companies are violating patents developed at a Silicon Valley lab that Allen financed more than a decade ago. Named in the lawsuit: Apple, Google, AOL, eBay, Facebook, Netflix, Office Depot, OfficeMax, Staples, Yahoo and Google's YouTube subsidiary. The suit doesn't name Microsoft, Amazon.com or other tech companies in Seattle where Allen is based, and it doesn't estimate a damage amount. The suit lists violations of four patents (PDF) for technology that appear to be key components of the operations of the companies — and that of e-commerce and Internet search companies in general."

5 of 219 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why now? by Locke2005 · · Score: 4, Funny

    He's not trying to get damages out of them; he's trying to get them to settle by buying "licenses" to make the problem go away. Plus, he's suing companies that HAVE money, while they still do have some assets. If I was trying to get money out of AOL, I'd be in a big hurry too!

    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  2. He can't win by recoiledsnake · · Score: 5, Funny
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    This space for rent.
  3. Re:Why now? by 1729 · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I was trying to get money out of AOL, I'd be in a big hurry too!

    Me, too!

  4. Re:Really? by Idiomatick · · Score: 4, Funny

    He's hoping to get an asian one to go with her.

  5. 35 USC 292 by Theaetetus · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have patented suing for patent damages. And I won't license it to him.

    Read for yourself:

    http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220080270152%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20080270152&RS=DN/20080270152

    You claim you've "patented" this, but it clearly is merely the publication of a patent application, and in fact, has not been granted. Accordingly, by claiming you have "patented" it, you are in violation of 35 USC 292 which makes "false marking" illegal, and levies a charge of up to $500 for every such offense.

    I leave a settlement offer to you. A donation to Slashdot would certainly be appropriate. Cheers.

    Disclaimer: I am a patent agent. I am not your patent agent. Nothing in this post should be considered legal advice, nor should be relied on. This is merely for the purposes of [my] amusement.