Microsoft Files For 3 Parallel Processing Patents 137
theodp writes "Microsoft may have been a Johnny-come-lately when it comes to parallel programming, but that's not stopping the software giant from trying to patent it. This week, the USPTO revealed that Microsoft has three additional parallel-processing patents pending — 1. Partitioning and Repartitioning for Data Parallel Operations, 2. Data Parallel Searching, and 3. Data Parallel Production and Consumption. Informing the USPTO that 'Software programs have been written to run sequentially since the beginning days of software development,' Microsoft adds there's been a '[recent] shift away from sequential execution toward parallel execution.' Before they grant the patents, let's hope the USPTO gets a second opinion on the novelty of Microsoft's parallel-processing patent claims."
Yes but... (Score:2, Funny)
Yes but... ;-0
The big question is:
If the three patents are 'processed in parallel' by the USPTO, would that constituate prior art
Re:Pain of Patents is in the reading (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Yes but... (Score:2, Funny)
It would be real progress if they could do three blue screens in parallel.
Looks ok (Score:2, Funny)
Well, you gotta give it to Microsoft this time. It seems that these patents are all real and do cover significant innovation and no prior art. What's right is right. When you invent something you have to protect your invention.
After all patents were made to protect the little inventor from big companies, and this is a great example of the patent system working beautifully
Re:Looks ok (Score:5, Funny)
Well, you gotta give it to Microsoft this time. It seems that these patents are all real and do cover significant innovation and no prior art. What's right is right. When you invent something you have to protect your invention.
After all patents were made to protect the little inventor from big companies, and this is a great example of the patent system working beautifully
Thanks Steve for your comments.
Late but not too late (Score:1, Funny)
Sigh... (Score:2, Funny)
I for one hope Microsoft gets the patents (Score:0, Funny)
Re:Pain of Patents is in the reading (Score:1, Funny)
1) We rarely read the articles here.
2) We sometimes read the summaries.
3) Heck we often don't even read or understand the posts we reply to (or moderate)!
So a link to the most complex novel in the English language is wasted on us.
Re:pffff (Score:2, Funny)
You tell him! Why, all those truly parallel massive Windows supercomputer system installations just blow those Linux boxes in the top500 away when they're doing real work.
Like... Like... help me out here, I'm lost for an example.