Topic: Microsoft and Autodesk fined for violating software activation patent

[Nemesis]

Link to full article

A TEXAS judge has upheld a patent verdict against Microsoft and Autodesk, ordering them to pay $158 million in damages.

Z4 Technologies sued Vole and Autodesk claiming that its use of product activation software to stymie piracy was in violation of a patent it owned.

If only this would stop them using it.

[Just plain old Punisher]

You know, instead of just making them pay monetary damages, I say we just let the winner of a lawsuit pistol whip the CEO of the loser company.

I'm betting there'd be a lot less cases of patent infringement.

[EmeraldEdge]

I doubt it.  For the kind of money they think they are making from using the activation software and thwarting pirates (yeah, right), they'd gladly take a whipping and walk away with the cash.  Now if they had to take weekly whippings for 10 years or so, then maybe.   Of course, they'd flee the country, which would have to mean they'd do hard jail time if they ever returned.  In the mean time, the company is fined for every weekly whipping the ceo didn't report for, to be no less than average monthly income of the ceo (meaning if he missed a year, then the company would owe roughly 4 times his annual salary )  Now, that might get their attention.

[Soliton]

One thing that is really out of whack in this country are the Patent rules. Too much stupid stuff is being allowed to be patented, things that shouldn't be patentable as they are too basic, generic, or vague. The patent laws are supposed to encourage people to make new things by giving them exclusive rights for a given period of time, not stifle innovation by nickel and diming any new inventor. Not that I am any fan of Microsoft, but they shouldn't have to pay for implementing such a feature (and I don't even like that feature).

[Dash Jones]

I think that they should have given more money...150 mil is pocket change to MS.  Make it something like 15 Billion...charging for EVERY COPY of Windows XP that's been sold with a 50 dollar surcharge (actually that would be even more than 15 Billion probably)...along with pistol whipping all those who are in charge...and I'm positive that MS would stop it's own piracy practices.

[Soliton]

http://www.ifla.org/documents/infopol/copyright/gars1.htm

Some reading about the abuses in patents, especially with regard to software. It's not just big bad Microsoft that is being hurt.

Ever had a game with a load screen? Ever wonder why the developers don't have something there to occupy your time while it loads?

http://www.passthepress.com/?p=247

If you’ve played a game with an intolerably long load time in the past few years, you’ve probably wished that you had something to occupy your time while you wait, you know, something besides talking to people. Unfortunately for you, it’s more than likely you won’t be playing a mini-game as you wait, thanks to a patent for just that concept held by Namco since 1995.

Too many are trying to cash in on others' hard work by abusing the patent system, getting patents on things that shouldn't be patentable (IMO).

[EmeraldEdge]

Yeah, that's like getting a patent on wheels, or air bags, or a car stereo.  That's utterly rediculous.  Now I could see putting in a mini-game that was exactly like one that Namco had for their game.  You know, like a branded character or something, but to say all mini-games are off limits?  That's rediculous.

[Iceman]

http://www.ifla.org/documents/infopol/copyright/gars1.htm

Some reading about the abuses in patents, especially with regard to software. It's not just big bad Microsoft that is being hurt.

Ever had a game with a load screen? Ever wonder why the developers don't have something there to occupy your time while it loads?

http://www.passthepress.com/?p=247

If you’ve played a game with an intolerably long load time in the past few years, you’ve probably wished that you had something to occupy your time while you wait, you know, something besides talking to people. Unfortunately for you, it’s more than likely you won’t be playing a mini-game as you wait, thanks to a patent for just that concept held by Namco since 1995.

Too many are trying to cash in on others' hard work by abusing the patent system, getting patents on things that shouldn't be patentable (IMO).

Ridge Racer for the PSOne, I believe.

You played a modified version of certipede (I think) while you waited.

[Nemesis]

A lot of patents should be thrown out on one of the following 3 reasons:

1/ Obvious - You are not supposed to be able to patent something obvious

2/ Not enough information provided in the patent to allow whatever is patented to be made.  A "typical" person in the relavent trade is supposed to be able to implement your invention based on the patent.  The idea of patents was to spread information by protecting the inventor for a time -  but only if he shares the information.

3/ Prior art.  If something has already been done and marketed your not supposed to be able to get a patent on it.  A patent on operating a swing or cutting the crust off of bread for sandwiches?