02.16.08
Microsoft Seeks to Own Page-flipping, Using the Broken USPTO
This you may not believe, but given some of the examples that we will get to in a moment, it’s hardly shocking. Have a look at this new patent application from Microsoft.
A newly published and quite intriguing Patent application from Microsoft describes technology for hand-activating page turning of Microsoft documents.
Here’s how this would work. You’re on a touchscreen PC, or Windows Mobile-powered device, reading through a Word doc or Power Point file. Rather than use a mouse or a trackball to prompt the document ti advance from one page or screen to the next, you’d simply flick your finger (now,now, let’s be polite) in the corner of the document. That would prompt the page to be turned.
If you think it’s a step too far, then watch previous articles such as:
- Fun with Google Patent Search: Why does the maker of Windows hold a patent on a door hinge?
- Microsoft patents Wish Lists
- Microsoft hopes to patent ‘automatic goodbye messages’
- Microsoft Deems Emotiflags Patent-Worthy
- Microsoft patent hints at pay-as-you-go OS
- MS Seeks Patent On Virtual Fuzzy Dice
- Microsoft patents frustration-detecting help system
A reform is desperately needed in order for sanity to be restored and then maintained, but there remain unnecessary obstacles. [via Groklaw]
Universities and colleges have also watched the debate closely and last week complained that their position was being misinterpreted by a rival coalition. In a letter Feb. 5 to Leahy and Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), the Judiciary Committee’s ranking member, the American Association of Universities (AAU) said a document distributed by the Coalition for Patent Fairness (CPF) “seriously misrepresents university views.” The CPF, an alliance of several tech giants, indicated that academics were fully behind the bill as now written. However, AAU Executive Vice President John Vaughn wrote, “That is not so.”
The main issue with (software) patents is that once they are granted, if you need to revoke them all, compensation might be necessary. But the United States is a victim of self-inflicted recession, so what are the chances of the Congress endorsing such a 180? █
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.