Forum Home
PC World Chat
 
Thread ID: 60214 2005-07-26 04:48:00 Microsoft Patents Smileys/Emoticons vinref (6194) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
375467 2005-07-26 04:48:00 Microsoft has submitted a patent to cover "smileys" or "emoticons", as reported by ZDNet Australia here (www.zdnet.com.au nd/0,2000061733,39204095,00.htm). They might run into trouble due to prior art. But even then it takes money to challenge such a patent, and who's up for taking on Microsoft? vinref (6194)
375468 2005-07-26 05:01:00 mabey they should spend as much time and money making software as they do making up stupid patents sambaird (47)
375469 2005-07-26 05:04:00 Actually, the original post was inaccurate - MS submitted the patent application last year and the Patent Office has just published it. I think this is one of the last steps before it is granted. So it is well on it's way to being granted. vinref (6194)
375470 2005-07-26 05:15:00 Great, just what we need... more bandwidth hogging emoticons bob_doe_nz (92)
375471 2005-07-26 08:21:00 Hey you guys, lighten up, stop picking on Microsoft :angry

They're only trying to help protect us users from unscrupulous people that would take advantage of these sort of unprotected works. Look what they are trying to achieve for us by patenting the XML standard. Ingrates.

Your only jealous anyway. If you could manipulate venal polititions into making a faulty IP regime more manipulable, so that you could grab yourselves a truck load of dubitable patents on just about evrything that moves, and doesn't, you wouldn't be blathering on about it here, now would you.
Murray P (44)
375472 2005-07-26 08:27:00 They're only trying to help protect us users from unscrupulous people that would take advantage of these sort of unprotected works. Look what they are trying to achieve for us by patenting the XML standard. Ingrates.

and what exactly would that be?
sambaird (47)
375473 2005-07-26 08:47:00 What would 'that exact' what be Sam? Murray P (44)
375474 2005-07-26 08:49:00 What would 'that exact' what be Sam?
what would the use of patenting XML be
sambaird (47)
375475 2005-07-26 10:08:00 Well, of course, to protect the users of XML documents and applications that use it, from people gaining patents on the code then charging great gobs of money for its use. That's MS's rationale anyway.

Do you not trust them to uphold the principals of free use software and egalitarian rights? Do you think that MS will ultimately want ot make money out of XML. smilies and right clicking on objects?
Murray P (44)
375476 2005-07-26 12:42:00 what would the use of patenting XML be

Ask Microsoft - they patented it (or at least tried to).
vinref (6194)
1