USA Patents law and click and double click patent!!!

BalrogSoft · Post by **BalrogSoft** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 2:55 pm

Hi, i found this article: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/ ... click=true

Microsoft have the patents of click and double click, this is one reason to fight against new patents law on Europe, Patents on EEUU are really a dangerous law for small developers.

Moonshine · Post by **Moonshine** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 2:57 pm

I signed a petition against them months ago

Post by **Dare2** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 3:00 pm

I agree. I wonder if there is an effective way to fight this sort of thing?

Kale · Post by **Kale** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 3:34 pm

ffs i wish microsoft would stop trying to rule the world!

patenting double-clicking!!! sheesh!

tinman · Post by **tinman** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 4:34 pm

The patent isn't as simple as that. Even this quote from the news article (which in itself is a quote from the patent) shows this:

"A default function for an application is launched if the button is pressed for a short, i.e., normal, period of time. An alternative function of the application is launched if the button is pressed for a long, (e.g., at least one second), period of time. Still another function can be launched if the application button is pressed multiple times within a short period of time, e.g., double click."

Also note:

the patent only applies to handheld computers that run Microsoft's PocketPC software

They'd struggle to patent double clicking by itself since that notion has been around for at least 20 years.

merendo · Post by **merendo** » Sat Jun 19, 2004 8:54 pm

Software Parents in Europe are also legal. But in a very restricted way. This way does also not allow M$ to patent their so called 'Double Click'. But in the States, Software Patents are an indeed terrible thread on free software and small software developers.

Doobrey · Post by **Doobrey** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 1:05 am

merendo wrote:Software Parents in Europa are also legal.

Patents are valid on a moon of Jupiter ?? Looks like the problem is bigger than we thought

El_Choni · Post by **El_Choni** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 3:55 am

I've patented breathing in Io, so watch out, you oxygen-wasters! And, about Europa, you know that...

"ALL THESE WORLDS ARE YOURS EXCEPT EUROPA.
ATTEMPT NO LANDINGS THERE"

Regards,

PS: now I know why I feel guilty when I doubleclick something... lol From now on, I'll just press [enter]

merendo · Post by **merendo** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 9:34 am

Doobrey wrote:
merendo wrote:Software Parents in Europa are also legal.
Patents are valid on a moon of Jupiter ?? Looks like the problem is bigger than we thought

Yes, it really is!!! M$ must be stopped!

BalrogSoft · Post by **BalrogSoft** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 3:46 pm

I remember when Clinton announced that complete human DNA map was discovered, and he said that human DNA map was a humanity legacy, and some people on tv was discussing the possibility that a gorverment study was not found the dna map before a private study, on this moment a lot of pharmacy companies was trying the same study, and the possibility that dna was patented of any pharmacy company to get the studies of medicaments using information of the dna map. I have the feel that we live on a crazy world...

techjunkie · Post by **techjunkie** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 1:06 pm

tinman wrote:The patent isn't as simple as that. Even this quote from the news article (which in itself is a quote from the patent) shows this:

"A default function for an application is launched if the button is pressed for a short, i.e., normal, period of time. An alternative function of the application is launched if the button is pressed for a long, (e.g., at least one second), period of time. Still another function can be launched if the application button is pressed multiple times within a short period of time, e.g., double click."
Also note:

the patent only applies to handheld computers that run Microsoft's PocketPC software
They'd struggle to patent double clicking by itself since that notion has been around for at least 20 years.

About the same as IBead use in their MP3 player... I wonder if they can sue MS... :roll:

dmoc · Post by **dmoc** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 2:14 pm

If you don't want MicroShits to rule the world then stop buying their products and support FOSS. What many may not realise is that most of the activity of the "big players" *is* patenting and the patents they own are then used to trade agreements among themselves. Now imagine you are an SME... ensuring you don't infringe these patents will suck away your limited finances possibly making your otherwise original product unfeasible. Now imagine you are a sole developer... forget it... even if you get away with infringing someone elses patent there is nothing to stop them making a claim several years down the line and the results all your hard effort get transferred to their pockets. This is a very cost efficient way of doing business for the patent holder, zero investment, zero risk, just the time waiting for some mug to build a successful business. Remember GIF, remember MP3, and these are just the obvious ones. And don't expect goverments to step in... big business = goverment = big business.

Today's rant is now finished.

PS: What I want to know is who invented the idea of patenting and did they get rich from it?

Num3 · Post by **Num3** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 3:48 pm

Let's patent triple click before someone else remembers that!

PolyVector · Post by **PolyVector** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 5:12 pm

I'm off to patent being a complete asshole who's disconcerned with the welfare of anybody not in their own direct interest... See you when I'm filthy stinking rich!

Look out Microsoft, Cox Communications and the Republican Party!

Doobrey · Post by **Doobrey** » Tue Jun 22, 2004 12:59 am

PolyVector wrote:I'm off to patent being a complete asshole who's disconcerned with the welfare of anybody not in their own direct interest...

Sorry PolyVector, but I think Bill Gates is a case of prior art against your patent.