Yes, the info is available to anyone with a search engine, but a relatively simple script can put the inforation in a coherent, organized, readable format, including specifics on each patent that would normally take a while to navigate through.
So I read post after post by people that are completely in the dark about what exactly Microsoft has patents on, how much legal ground they have to make such accusations, and read people asking, one after another, for specifics. I try to provide some (what i consider disturbing) information a friend of mine acquired (and information on how someone can acquire it themselves) and the second I do, the responses change from, "where's the proof?" to "no shit Sherlock".
Basically, I was just trying to point out that M$ IS in fact talking about patents on processes (not just code), to let some folks know what M$ has up their sleeve (which I found kinda scary!), and encourage people to go do some research on their own...and for that I got labeled a troll, a drama queen, and a stupid cock monkey.
Right on/.
Sorry if I pissed anyone off, but I wasn't trying to troll or spread FUD on behalf of Microsoft, or anything remotely close to it. Quite the contrary, I was just trying to provide specifics on how to find some relevant info, and actually dispel some FUD through knowledge and information. I didn't think that would ever provoke such a reaction, here of all places. My bad. srsly.
Please note that every patent that is open in the corresponds to the number listed in the index.
Also note that I only screen captured 7 out of 5082!
I also thought that by pointing out exactly what was done, at least someone else out there could also attain the info themselves if the so desired. Again, without me breaking any promises to this person.
It isn't that hard for someone to write a shell script that, oh say, spidered the USPTO for every patent microsoft has ever filed.
I know for a fact that it is very possible, and out of the about 2000 of 5000 patents that I've seen downloaded from the database so far, I've seen some very frightening results. We're not simply talking patents on code, here people. It gets much much worse. Downright fucking scary even.
I'd gladly post the link to the USPTO for you all to see for yourselves, but I've been sworn to secrecy by my friend that wrote it, not to reveal or link the info on his site itself (because he's talking with some serious gurus about what can be done in the meantime)
Before everyone rallies the troops for a war against M$, it might be wise to learn what they have up their sleeve. Otherwise we might be leading the penguins to the slaughter, and that might be exactly what they're counting on.
The information IS available to anyone with enough shell scripting know-how. Find out everything you can before you make an uninformed plan of action, because this has huge implications.
I'm not saying anyone's right or wrong so far, I'm advocating knowledge of fact. Take the time and find out for yourselves. Why speculate when you can know?
Slashdot Mirror
Yes, the info is available to anyone with a search engine, but a relatively simple script can put the inforation in a coherent, organized, readable format, including specifics on each patent that would normally take a while to navigate through.
/.
So I read post after post by people that are completely in the dark about what exactly Microsoft has patents on, how much legal ground they have to make such accusations, and read people asking, one after another, for specifics. I try to provide some (what i consider disturbing) information a friend of mine acquired (and information on how someone can acquire it themselves) and the second I do, the responses change from, "where's the proof?" to "no shit Sherlock".
Basically, I was just trying to point out that M$ IS in fact talking about patents on processes (not just code), to let some folks know what M$ has up their sleeve (which I found kinda scary!), and encourage people to go do some research on their own...and for that I got labeled a troll, a drama queen, and a stupid cock monkey.
Right on
Sorry if I pissed anyone off, but I wasn't trying to troll or spread FUD on behalf of Microsoft, or anything remotely close to it. Quite the contrary, I was just trying to provide specifics on how to find some relevant info, and actually dispel some FUD through knowledge and information. I didn't think that would ever provoke such a reaction, here of all places.
My bad. srsly.
This is what I can offer in the way of cold hard evidence so far.
Anything more, and I'd be breaking a promise
Please note that every patent that is open in the corresponds to the number listed in the index.
Also note that I only screen captured 7 out of 5082! I also thought that by pointing out exactly what was done, at least someone else out there could also attain the info themselves if the so desired. Again, without me breaking any promises to this person.
It isn't that hard for someone to write a shell script that, oh say, spidered the USPTO for every patent microsoft has ever filed. I know for a fact that it is very possible, and out of the about 2000 of 5000 patents that I've seen downloaded from the database so far, I've seen some very frightening results. We're not simply talking patents on code, here people. It gets much much worse. Downright fucking scary even.
I'd gladly post the link to the USPTO for you all to see for yourselves, but I've been sworn to secrecy by my friend that wrote it, not to reveal or link the info on his site itself (because he's talking with some serious gurus about what can be done in the meantime)
Before everyone rallies the troops for a war against M$, it might be wise to learn what they have up their sleeve. Otherwise we might be leading the penguins to the slaughter, and that might be exactly what they're counting on. The information IS available to anyone with enough shell scripting know-how. Find out everything you can before you make an uninformed plan of action, because this has huge implications.
I'm not saying anyone's right or wrong so far, I'm advocating knowledge of fact. Take the time and find out for yourselves. Why speculate when you can know?