Open-source Overhauls Patent System 186
K-boy writes "The US Patent Office has announced new plans to reform the patent system - and right up there at the front is open-source software. Techworld argues that it is in fact open-source software that has been the driving force behind the reform." From the New York Times article: "At a meeting last month with companies and organizations that support open-source software (software that can be distributed and modified freely), including I.B.M., Red Hat, Novell and some universities, officials of the patent office discussed how to give patent examiners access to better information and other ways to issue higher-quality patents. Two of the initiatives would rely on recently developed Internet technologies. An open patent review program would set up a system on the patent office Web site where visitors could submit search criteria and subscribe to electronic alerts about patent applications in specific areas."
I wish they asked me, I can do it cheaply (Score:1, Funny)
2. Throw away key.
3. Profit!!!
Even better, no need to even bother with the ??? step.
i.b.m.? (Score:5, Funny)
Quick, patent these while you can! (Score:5, Funny)
before the overhaul takes place will some do-no-evil company please patent the following:
- flash advertisements which use sound
- flash advertisements which take over your browser and shove themselves over the content you're trying to read
- annoying flashing siezure-inducing animated GIF advertisements
and then sue every advertiser which uses that style ad for patent licensing fees, and commit to not use those style ads on any web site, EVER?
Thanks. This would be an appropriate use for patenting prior art. If you do this you will have my eternal appreciation.
Declining Quality of Patent Examiners (Score:2, Funny)
Google search technology (Score:4, Funny)
Meaning, patent examiners will now Google the phrase "customer review" before saying, "Gosh, what an original idea!"
In other news, patent examiners' computers will now have web access...
Not enough (Score:4, Funny)
deja vu... (Score:5, Funny)
Wait... didn't we already have this discussion today?
Re:I wish they asked me, I can do it cheaply (Score:2, Funny)
2. Throw away key.
3. Profit!!!
From the offices of Dewey, Cheatham & Howe:
It has come to our attention that you have made an unauthorized use of our lock mechanism. This letter is to inform you that the lock you have used has been patented, and you are violating the patent's rights by locking the other patents. As you neither asked for nor received permission to use this lock, you must immediately cease and desist from its use in this manner.
Too late - I already patented it! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:But it's an advance. (Score:3, Funny)
Who gave the slashcode to the patent office?
Recently developed? (Score:3, Funny)
Database-driven web sites and web forms? It's recent in geological terms, I suppose.