Smartphones Patented — Just About Everyone Sued 1 Minute Later 407
This week the US Patent and Trademark Office issued a surprisingly (although I guess it shouldn't be) broad patent for a "mobile entertainment and communication device". Upon closer inspection you may notice that it pretty much outlines the ubiquitous smartphone concept. "It's a patent for a mobile phone with removable storage, an internet connection, a camera and the ability to download audio or video files. The patent holding firm who has the rights to this patent wasted no time at all. At 12:01am Tuesday morning, it filed three separate lawsuits against just about everyone you can think of, including Apple, Nokia, RIM, Sprint, ATT, HP, Motorola, Helio, HTC, Sony Ericsson, UTStarcomm, Samsung and a bunch of others. Amusingly, the company actually first filed the lawsuits on Monday, but realized it was jumping the gun and pulled them, only to refile just past the stroke of midnight. "
If I had invented the smartphone... (Score:5, Funny)
I have a question, your honour (Score:5, Funny)
Manufacturers to release hardware fix (Score:5, Funny)
Who's laughing now, Mr. Patent Troll?
Re:Good for them! (Score:3, Funny)
Hope nobody beats me to it...
Re:Prior art? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Good for them! (Score:3, Funny)
Wa not? Want not? WAN not?
*sigh*
Preview lesson learned.
They forgot to sue one party (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Good luck (Score:5, Funny)
I'd like to Patent a Business Model Please (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Prior art? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:They forgot to sue one party (Score:3, Funny)
Re:What I don't Get... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:What I don't Get... (Score:3, Funny)
Really, if someone patents the phone, then the windows, then the weapons of mass destruction, USPO will be gone forever. I mean it.
Re:Manufacturers to release hardware fix (Score:5, Funny)
Re:What I don't Get... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Manufacturers to release hardware fix (Score:5, Funny)
Re:They sued WHO? (Score:5, Funny)
The fact that IBM's lawyers are colloquially known as 'Nazgul' should probably be more worrying to them.
Re:What I don't Get... (Score:2, Funny)
Literally (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I'd like to Patent a Business Model Please (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Good luck (Score:5, Funny)
Re:They forgot to sue one party (Score:5, Funny)
I'd bet he could think of one particular angel that'd be suitable...
Re:Good luck (Score:3, Funny)
That's a great idea! We should send him to negotiate with the terrorists. I'm sure they will give him the welcome that a man of his station deserves.
Re:I'd like to Patent a Business Model Please (Score:3, Funny)
Re:I have a question, your honour (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Prior art? (Score:3, Funny)
Wait until MY abusive patent comes out... (Score:3, Funny)
Sincerely,
SCO
Re:If I had invented the smartphone... (Score:5, Funny)
We like to think of ourselves as a progressive institution.
Re:If I had invented the smartphone... (Score:2, Funny)
a) you didn't get the joke
b) you didn't get the joke
c) you didn't get the joke
Re:Prior art? (Score:3, Funny)
Not gonna happen, but it would rock...