Well, several folks have commented that one should not be able to patent an educational process or method, implying that Blackboard has attempted to do so. They have not; instead, Blackboard has patented tools and features in it's online learning management software that they claim they invented--the problem is that these tools and features have existed in numerous forms in scores of other software packages on various platforms, and cited prior art demonstrates that these tools and features were even available on specifically education-oriented software prior to Blackboard's existence. Of the 44 Blackboard patent claims challenged, the SFLC's request includes Blackboards patents on user role/file access elements (e.g. use of a file dropbox for assignments, online testing, use of a hyperlink to access a list of course documents, use of a hyperlinks to access communication tools, the communication tools themselves such as chat and discussion forums, etc etc).
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How about Moodle?
Well, several folks have commented that one should not be able to patent an educational process or method, implying that Blackboard has attempted to do so. They have not; instead, Blackboard has patented tools and features in it's online learning management software that they claim they invented--the problem is that these tools and features have existed in numerous forms in scores of other software packages on various platforms, and cited prior art demonstrates that these tools and features were even available on specifically education-oriented software prior to Blackboard's existence. Of the 44 Blackboard patent claims challenged, the SFLC's request includes Blackboards patents on user role/file access elements (e.g. use of a file dropbox for assignments, online testing, use of a hyperlink to access a list of course documents, use of a hyperlinks to access communication tools, the communication tools themselves such as chat and discussion forums, etc etc).