These lawsuits are ridiculous

[mikejet]

"A Los Angeles real estate developer is suing Apple for patent infringement over the way the iPhone navigates Web sites. The suit, which was filed on behalf of EMG Technology, seeks unspecified damages. EMG Technology is a company that holds the patents of Elliot Gottfurcht, the real estate developer, as well as Marlo Longstreet and Grant Gottfurcht. The company claims that the iPhone infringes on patent 7, 441, 196- a patent that was approved only last month, after a filing process that began on March 13, 2006. That patent is for an invention that displays 'on-line content reformatted from a webpage in a hypertext markup language (HTML) format into an extensible markup language (XML) format to generate a sister site.' This sister site is a simplified version of the original site that is then displayed on any number of devices--including cell phones, EMG says."

That's just stupid. Why do they people patent ideas that are so all encompassing?

I can understand patenting and copyrighting actual code and software that would let you do that but to patent the idea of doing something is horrifically wrong.

Like that company that sued MS, Sony, and Nintendo over rumble in controllers.

I should get into that line of work. Patent something like the ability of a string or rope like material to fit through holes and restrain harnesses to feet. There, now everyone who makes showlaces can be sued.

[ZackL]

Just an attempt to make a buck.

[Anthony P]

That's just stupid. Why do they people patent ideas that are so all encompassing?

the reason is obvious "make stupid and all encompassing claim in patent" then when someone makes a successful product, sew them and get rich.

The real question is why does the patent office allow this?

[m_tyson]

the key is to be first with the stupidly obvious idea. an old client of mine patented his invention for a money dispensing machine (yes, the ATM) and made a fortune. he also patented silly string. i say he earned it.

Originally Posted by Anthony P

the reason is obvious "make stupid and all encompassing claim in patent" then when someone makes a successful product, sew them and get rich.

The real question is why does the patent office allow this?