And for Microsoft's 5000th patent....

[iago]

.... they patent HLTV, apparently.  In fact, there are a whole bunch of other games that use this technology, dating back to the earlier Quakes.  I think there's something seriously wrong with how "Patents" work.

Read more. 

The system will allow online viewers who are not involved in actual gameplay to view game highlights and instant replays, as well as let them control camera perspectives. A statement from Microsoft also describes 'A portal such as a Web site to access spectator-related services such as schedules and information on multiple games and events as well as the number of spectators and participants in each. The portal allows the spectator to find the most popular games to watch, preview the action, and then connect to the desired game or event.'

[Blaze]

Yeah... that patent should be revoked.

[iago]

So should Microsoft's patent on the iPod's interface (which was submitted after the iPod was already being distributed).  Not to mention that somebody (I forget who) recently patented "interactive web pages." 

[RoMi]

Microsft owns part of Apple, so thats understandable, I guess.

[Warrior]

This is good, if they patent it first then too bad? Until they start to abuse it I see no problem with it.

[MyndFyre]

This is good, if they patent it first then too bad? Until they start to abuse it I see no problem with it.

I'm pretty sure that patents work the same way as copyrights though, which would invalidate MS's patents.  For instance, if you write some code and I copy it, and then I copyright my program that has your code, technically speaking you can sue me for copyright infringement unless we had a license agreement.  To further complicate matters, you don't even need to have registered the copyright; you simply need to prove that I copied it while the copyright was in place, register the copyright before you file the lawsuit, and do all of it within the time of the statute of limitations.

[Warrior]

This is good, if they patent it first then too bad? Until they start to abuse it I see no problem with it.

I'm pretty sure that patents work the same way as copyrights though, which would invalidate MS's patents.  For instance, if you write some code and I copy it, and then I copyright my program that has your code, technically speaking you can sue me for copyright infringement unless we had a license agreement.  To further complicate matters, you don't even need to have registered the copyright; you simply need to prove that I copied it while the copyright was in place, register the copyright before you file the lawsuit, and do all of it within the time of the statute of limitations.

Yes, if they decide to sue. Let's take the Microsoft FAT patent for example. It would be highly impractical to go after all of these people.

[MyndFyre]

Yes, if they decide to sue. Let's take the Microsoft FAT patent for example. It would be highly impractical to go after all of these people.

But it *would* be practical for HLTV to sue Microsoft, or for Mac to sue Microsoft, since it's only one big company.

[Blaze]

Yes, if they decide to sue. Let's take the Microsoft FAT patent for example. It would be highly impractical to go after all of these people.

But it *would* be practical for HLTV to sue Microsoft, or for Mac to sue Microsoft, since it's only one big company.

I hope that happens, just because it hasn't.

[iago]

The problem is, Microsoft can afford expensive lawyers and HLTV can't.  So there probably isn't much point in trying to fight MS. 

[MyndFyre]

The problem is, Microsoft can afford expensive lawyers and HLTV can't.  So there probably isn't much point in trying to fight MS. 

Chances are good EFF would represent them.

[iago]

The problem is, Microsoft can afford expensive lawyers and HLTV can't.  So there probably isn't much point in trying to fight MS. 

Chances are good EFF would represent them.

I don't know what that is.  I'm afraid that my legal knowledge is scarce. 

It still seems odd that they could get the patent in the first place, though.  What's it take to get a patent?  Can I go out and patent static web pages right now?

[MyndFyre]

The problem is, Microsoft can afford expensive lawyers and HLTV can't.  So there probably isn't much point in trying to fight MS. 

Chances are good EFF would represent them.

I don't know what that is.  I'm afraid that my legal knowledge is scarce. 

It still seems odd that they could get the patent in the first place, though.  What's it take to get a patent?  Can I go out and patent static web pages right now?

EFF is the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the organization that represents Bnetd in Blizzard vs Bnetd.

EFF is an internet intellectual property rights advocacy organization.

You probably could patent the idea of "static web pages" with as retarded as the current patent system is.  It not only makes patents meaningless, but.... well, that's what it does!

[Warrior]

I'll agree on the current state of our patent system, oh well this is buisness and it's war. I doubt things will get to an extreme, if they do it should be fun to watch.