The fact that this patent is owned by Microsoft has little to do with it.
Imagine one person owning the process of free speech. There are hundreds-of-thousands of magazines in the world, printed on tangible paper with tangible ink.
The patent office is handing out to someone the web's equivalent of publishing almost anything which is 'periodical'. How can that be legitimately patented?
If this were in print-media, this would mean every high-school in the country would be infringing such a patent by printing a school paper. Same with churches, stores, major papers and magazines.
In addition to any 'Profit Sharing' from the lyrics server, the Harry Fox Agency should be billed for the work that was put into creating the website. If they had pursued such a venture themselves, they would have paid someone to design, compile, and maintain it.
The most worthwhile mass-use of this technology would be to enhance the size of the average person's bladder.
Who wouldn't love to double the size of their own resevoir? Instead of desperately looking for a restroom in the mall, you can wait until you get home.
Of course, the resulting flow from greater capacity may require deeper toilet bowls to prevent spillage.
Just imagine the great trajectory and distance one could gain. And you'll be able to have enough 'ink' to write more than just your name in the snow...
Toys'R'Us claims that Gus is infringing their copyright by using three letters of their company's name. Even Viacom, staunch protectors of their StarTrek copyrights wouldn't go after George Lucas for infringement over the use of the word 'Star' in StarWars.
Next, some company named EZ(easy)this-or-that will demand the hundreds of companies and products with those two letters in their name to cease use of them. They should start going after zoos. I don't know about you, but I always mistake my local zoo for Toys'R'Us... Those damned giraffes and all.
Slashdot Mirror
Imagine one person owning the process of free speech. There are hundreds-of-thousands of magazines in the world, printed on tangible paper with tangible ink.
The patent office is handing out to someone the web's equivalent of publishing almost anything which is 'periodical'. How can that be legitimately patented?
If this were in print-media, this would mean every high-school in the country would be infringing such a patent by printing a school paper. Same with churches, stores, major papers and magazines.
This is the same thing.
Some people tend to forget there is a non-Windows world out there.
In addition to any 'Profit Sharing' from the lyrics server, the Harry Fox Agency should be billed for the work that was put into creating the website. If they had pursued such a venture themselves, they would have paid someone to design, compile, and maintain it.
Who wouldn't love to double the size of their own resevoir? Instead of desperately looking for a restroom in the mall, you can wait until you get home.
Of course, the resulting flow from greater capacity may require deeper toilet bowls to prevent spillage.
Just imagine the great trajectory and distance one could gain. And you'll be able to have enough 'ink' to write more than just your name in the snow...
I think Veronica's parents should show their appreciation for /.'s help by changing her name to Veronica Slashdot Sams.
It even sounds good.
Next, some company named EZ(easy)this-or-that will demand the hundreds of companies and products with those two letters in their name to cease use of them. They should start going after zoos. I don't know about you, but I always mistake my local zoo for Toys'R'Us... Those damned giraffes and all.