WordLogic Patented the Predictive Interface

Packetl055 writes "Have any of you heard anything about this company, WordLogic, with a soon to be granted/issued patent with 117 claims for predictability software? They recently received a patent approval/allowance letter from the US Patent and Trademark Office. Their patent application was submitted in March 2000. If I read this correctly, any software that gives you any prediction after you type something is infringing on their patent — e.g. vehicle navigation systems, cellular telephones, PDA's, Google with their 'Did You Mean' when using Google for a search, the new Apple I-Phone, Blackberry, Sony Playstation-3, etc., etc. If true, this is going to be huge: lawsuits after lawsuits." Their stock trend over the last few days suggests that somebody was paying attention to the the USPTO news from August 9. WordLogic makes products (assistive input software) and doesn't seem to be merely a patent troll.

Damn it, Thunderbird!!

[Overzeetop]

Their stock trend over the last few days suggests that somebody was paying attention

I just checked and my damned junk mail filter put that email in the trash!

I predict....

[MarkovianChained]

that they wouldn't get anywhere with a lawsuit.

What about Miss Cleo?

[downix]

Would she infringe upon their patent? 8)

Seriously?

[Lumbergh]

The I-Phone? Does it work with MACS?

Re:Hello, incremental search anyone?

[Anonymous Coward]

I hope they enjoyed the intellisense autocomplete feature in Visual Studio when they developed the software that their patent is based on.

As if you didn't see this coming:

[Borealis]

I predicted that they'd do that!

Unnecessary Quote from the CEO

[acvh]

"We are very excited about the obvious opportunities that will be open to WordLogic in the near future."

I'll bet you are....

Re:Pig in a Tutu

[andrewd18]

Of course it's not merely a pig. It's Dancer Pig!

Dancer Pig! Dancer Pig!
Does whatever a Dancer Pig does!
Can it dance
In ballet?
No it can't,
'Cause it's a pig.
Look out!
Here comes the Dancer Pig!

Re:Hello, incremental search anyone?

[5KVGhost]

Patent submitters typically know about the most obvious examples of prior art, so most patents are worded to carefully carve out a niche in which the patent almost, but not quite, describes existing technologies.

Fine. Then the submitter should almost, but not quite, deserve a patent.

Re:Supermarket coupons.

[piojo]

When I check out at my local grocery store, I've consistently received coupons for "similar products that I might like" since the 80s. Buy Ben n Jerry's ice cream? Get a coupon for Breyers. Something is predicting I might like another brand of ice cream.

I've been getting these coupons since the early 90s.
 

Yeah, those sure are annoying. Good thing prediction has been patented. Maybe spammers will have to stop predicting that I want "my sexual life more different and easier!", or I'll "impress my girl with a WonderCum!"

Re:What about Miss Cleo?

[Eponymous Bastard]

They'll probably try to sue her anyway.

The big question is: Will she see it coming?