[LINK] recent patent

[Tom Koltai]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: link-bounces at mailman1.anu.edu.au 
> [mailto:link-bounces at mailman1.anu.edu.au] On Behalf Of 
> stephen@
> Sent: Monday, 16 November 2009 11:18 AM
> To: link at anu.edu.au
> Subject: [LINK] recent patent
> 
> 
> United States Patent Application 20090265214  
> 
> Jobs; Steven ;   et al.  October 22, 2009  
> Assignee Name and Adress: APPLE INC. Cupertino CA
>  
> Advertisement in Operating System 
> 
> Abstract: Among other disclosures, an operating system 
> presents one or 
> more advertisements to a user and disables one or more 
> functions while 
> the advertisement is being presented. At the end of the 
> advertisement, 
> the operating system again enables the function(s). The 
> advertisement can 
> be visual or audible ..
> 
<http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?
Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%
2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220090265214%
22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20090265214&RS=DN/20090265214>
--



Obviously a free version of the operating system will be released -
advertising sponsored.

Hmmm. One wonders how this got past the USPTO with media companies using
this method of content interruptus for about ten years.

Once again proving that with the right quantity of money, any patent can
be filed.

Shame, because it calls into question the entire patenting system.
Is it:

A) A system for benefiting and protecting inventors?
B) A system benefiting those wealthy enough to afford cleverly drafted
patent claims based on other persons inventions?

Australia has an innovative patenting system that allows filing of
"substantial" improvements. This encourages constant R&D and
technological improvements.

I doubt that being forced to read an advert whilst waiting for a
background spooling job would be classified as innovative.

I think Patent offices need to address these types of frivolous "land
grabs" and return us to where we were a few years ago. 

i.e.: A Patent protects the intellectual property rights of an inventor
and should not be filed just to be the justification for vexatious and
without merit litigation.


Tom








 


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