MS Files for Broad XML/Word-processing Patent in NZ

Unloaded writes "In the New Zealand Herald, Adam Gifford has written an article blasting Microsoft for burying the New Zealand Intellectual Property Office in paperwork. One example is Patent 525484, accepted by the office and now open for objections until the end of May, which says Microsoft invented and owns the process whereby a word-processing document stored in a single XML file may be manipulated by applications that understand XML."

Why the fight?

[hornyasiancoeds]

Well they did invent XML so I dont see what the problem is?

Patent the idea of patenting other peoples ideas.

[svanstrom]

Patent the idea of patenting other peoples ideas; that ought to stop most of Microsofts patents. =)

Re:salmacis

[svanstrom]

No, it's the other one.

Shatner?

[Rufus211]

This story.

Would be better.

If it didn't read like.

One of Shatner's.

Speaches.

Re:Patent the idea of patenting other peoples idea

[BorgDrone]

"Patent the idea of patenting other peoples ideas"

That's a good idea, I'll file a patent application right away!.

Re:Shatner?

[Anonymous Coward]

That post.

Would be better.

If it didn't read like.

An 11 year-old's.

First spelling test.

Re:Oh, great.

[Illume]

XML file may be manipulated by applications that understand XML

Hmmm. All we need is a generic tool that manipulates XML files but doesn't understand XML.

Hmmm.

[ta bu shi da yu]

Sounds like Word all right.

This one slipped through the watchers...

[Linker3000]

US Patent Office
Provisional patent application: PPA1283405995
Applicant: Microsoft Corp., Redmond
Date: 12-Feb-2005
Synopsis:
A rotating, magnetically polarised (variable), spherical device occupying a non-fixed position in time and space, comprising a semi-liquid core encased by an unstable, multi-layered outer shell surrounded by a mixed-composition liquid/gaseous environment with a range of complex environmental variances, capable of hosting a variety of surface and sub-surface, organic-based life forms supporting social and other interactions at various levels of intelligence using a range of simple-to-complex sensory devices.

Re:These guys are lame

[0x461FAB0BD7D2]

We should get Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir William H. Gates III to duke it out in a joust, just like real knights of the empire.

Suggested solution

[hedleyroos]

A better patent system would be to have an entire community moderate patent applications. Only +5 patents are granted. Think Slashdot. Only those interested in tech affairs read Slashdot. Now simply adapt the /. code to work for the patent system and - profit! Or non-profit really.

Re:Should be treated as fraud

[Cyn]

To: All employees
Subject: Blame bill.

Hello all, this is your CEO. I just wanted you all to know that Bill Foobar from Internet Development got the good idea to patent something that was trivial - and we have a little problem because of it.

We are now in the process of restructuring to support our new business goal: making license plates. It is our plan to do this for the next 5 to 10 years, with vacation time for good behavior. If you are unsure how you will be needed in this regard, don't worry - you will be pressing license plates like the rest of us. See you tomorrow! Wear something you can get dirty.

Sincerely,
-Iquit Freely, CEO

Re:salmacis

[The Angry Mick]

There is nothing hyprocrital in what Microsoft is doing, so you need not use that tone

Mom?!?