Microsoft Lays Claim To Patent On 'Fans' 114
theodp writes "A USPTO filing made public Thursday reveals that Microsoft is seeking a patent for something it calls 'One-Way Public Relationships' in social networks and other online properties, lawyer-speak for what's more commonly known as being a 'fan' of something online. It's unclear whether it's a goof on Apple, but Microsoft curiously used the example of a U2 fan named Steve to explain its 'invention' to the USPTO. Purported patent reformer Microsoft, which has called for the US to change from a first-to-invent patent system to a first-to-file system, filed the patent application in July 2009. Microsoft is a partner with and investor in Facebook, which first established its fan pages back in November 2007."
One-way-public relationships? (Score:3, Funny)
I call prior art when I had a crush on this girl who blew me off.
Re:One-way-public relationships? (Score:5, Funny)
I call prior art when I had a crush on this girl who blew me off.
no no you are thinking about the 'stalker patent'.
patently (Score:2, Funny)
The one phrase that best describes this is "patently obviously".
"Like" (Score:5, Funny)
Steve Ballmer and 2 other people like this.