The system already rewards examiners for denying an application. (They get a count regardless how they dispose of the application.)
Come Nov. 1st the rules for patenting are going to change dramatically. A lot of the complaints out there are getting addressed (for better or worse) by the rule changes. Everyone wants to see "obvious" patents rejected, unless you are the guy who came up with them. This is the *clarification* of the rule changes:
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/dapp/opla/preognotice/clmcontclarification.pdf
If only I had patented the spreadsheet....
Here's the text.
Other than it is "Zune" to be out, the article gives very little information about the player. I'm resisting making any jokes about XP being "Zune" to be out in the fall of '04.
SEATTLE, July 21 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Friday it plans to release a new music and entertainment player and accompanying software under the "Zune" brand this year, in a belated attempt to challenge the dominance of Apple Computer Inc.'s (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) iPod player.
Microsoft confirmed the plans for an entertainment device and software in a statement after touting those products to record companies in recent months.
The world's largest software maker faces an uphill climb in closing the gap on Apple's iPod media player and iTunes Music Store, the runaway leaders in their respective areas.
The iPod holds more than half of the digital media player market, according to research company NPD, while iTunes accounts for over 70 percent of U.S. digital music sales.
"Creating a lifestyle device, Microsoft is clearly going to face a battle here," said Michael Gartenberg, research director at JupiterResearch. "It's going to be hard for them to create the same level of cachet that Apple has with the iPod."
Music industry sources told Reuters earlier this month that Microsoft disclosed plans to be in the market before Christmas with a media player that will allow users to download videos and music wirelessly.
It will also try to replicate Apple's simple approach to providing an integrated, seamless ecosystem for digital media is seen as the key to its success with iPod/iTunes, the sources said.
Microsoft sources said Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, is working with J. Allard, vice president of its Xbox team, on the digital media player/software project.
Allard's involvement is seen as significant because he is one of the few executives at Microsoft with experience in launching a consumer electronic device from scratch with the X-Box gaming system. His involvement suggests that gaming might be part of the media player.
Microsoft said it did not have a spokesperson available for comment.
'Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the constitutional authority of the President to collect intelligence with respect to foreign powers and agents of foreign powers.'
Geez. i know i bought a pocket constitution for dummies, and I read it cover to cover, and I can't find anywhere the "you cannot violate civil rights, unless you say that you say (with a straight face) it was for a foreign power"
This must be in the same updated constitution that says the NSA can tap AT&T internet communications of everyone because one person might be using it for a foreign power.
If you install it, you have to buy it. Or reformat your HD. Most people who install this will end up shelling out the money to purchase.
Great way to force people into upgrading.
From the site:
# Installation limitations
There are two installation scenarios for Windows Vista Beta 2 (and RC1):
1. You can do a clean installation. This process will overwrite any data that you have on your hard disk or on your installation partition. The overwritten data will be lost and unrecoverable.
2. You can upgrade an existing installation of Windows XP.
No other installation scenarios are supported. Upgrading to this beta from any other edition of Windows requires a clean installation, as described in option 1. In addition, once you install Windows Vista Beta 2 (or RC1) you cannot roll back to the previous operating system installation--you will either have to acquire and install the final released edition of Windows Vista or reinstall a previous edition of Windows. Before installing Windows Vista Beta 2 on any computer, please remember to back up all your files.
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The system already rewards examiners for denying an application. (They get a count regardless how they dispose of the application.) Come Nov. 1st the rules for patenting are going to change dramatically. A lot of the complaints out there are getting addressed (for better or worse) by the rule changes. Everyone wants to see "obvious" patents rejected, unless you are the guy who came up with them. This is the *clarification* of the rule changes: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/dapp/opla/preognotice/clmcontclarification.pdf If only I had patented the spreadsheet....
'Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the constitutional authority of the President to collect intelligence with respect to foreign powers and agents of foreign powers.' Geez. i know i bought a pocket constitution for dummies, and I read it cover to cover, and I can't find anywhere the "you cannot violate civil rights, unless you say that you say (with a straight face) it was for a foreign power" This must be in the same updated constitution that says the NSA can tap AT&T internet communications of everyone because one person might be using it for a foreign power.
If you install it, you have to buy it. Or reformat your HD. Most people who install this will end up shelling out the money to purchase. Great way to force people into upgrading. From the site: # Installation limitations There are two installation scenarios for Windows Vista Beta 2 (and RC1): 1. You can do a clean installation. This process will overwrite any data that you have on your hard disk or on your installation partition. The overwritten data will be lost and unrecoverable. 2. You can upgrade an existing installation of Windows XP. No other installation scenarios are supported. Upgrading to this beta from any other edition of Windows requires a clean installation, as described in option 1. In addition, once you install Windows Vista Beta 2 (or RC1) you cannot roll back to the previous operating system installation--you will either have to acquire and install the final released edition of Windows Vista or reinstall a previous edition of Windows. Before installing Windows Vista Beta 2 on any computer, please remember to back up all your files.