Comments on: Microsoft gets 10,000th patent

After five years of pushing for more patents, Microsoft has finally broken into five digits when it comes to number of U.S. patents issued.

[dascha1]

For MS stockholders, any facts on the actual cost total for this protection since they've gone public?

[Hunnter2k3]

Shame that it includes such patents as "Emotiflags", so much for improving patent quality. Or perhaps they meant the quality of the written word, rather than the actual quality of the product.

** "Logging the 10,000th patent really is a testament to all of the innovation that has been taking place," Microsoft chief patent counsel Bart Eppenauer said in an interview. **
This makes me laugh, a lot.
Yes, some things they have done are indeed innovating, but some are just laughable.

Can you tell i dislike the patent system?

[EcuadorHomesOnline]

I love to see ANY company that puts this much effort into researching new ideas. IBM, Hitachi, even AT&T and Kodak back in their day, have all funded amazing amounts of research which ultimately creates new products, new jobs, and better ways of doing things. We just need to find a way to stop the "patent trolls" who buy up other people's old patents just for the sole sake of suing someone.

[Penguinisto]

"innovation"... *snork!*

I for one cannot wait to see software patents invalidated, if only to see the look on the faces of these guys and all the obvious patent trolls out there. It'd be fun to watch as their attempts at moneymaking off of the obvious and the absurd go up in smoke.

[Vegaman_Dan]

I have to agree with you on this one. I really dislike the current patent system in place. Microsoft, Apple, and all the rest are forced to spend all these resources on obvious things just so that they don't run afoul of someone else patenting it first. The number of lawsuits citing violations where MSFT wasn't fast enough would tend to suggest this is the case.

I honestly believe this process hurts development rather than support it.

[Penguinisto]

Indeed... it has become a race to the bottom, for everyone.

Hardware patents I have no problems with, for the obvious reason that you can more easily verify the processes and items being patented - and also more readily test for uniqueness and actual innovation. Software patents OTOH are too often vague and too often not even submitted for products or ideas, but as a monetization strategy.

Hopefully the things will die soon, if a few appeals and court cases wending their way through the system have (hopefully) enough merit...

[Seaspray0]

And, as the number of patents increase, it becomes harder and harder to create something new without someone having patented it first. Even if you do your own work and come up with it all on your own, you can't use it because someone else did the same concept and patented it. This is where the patent system breaks down. A patent should protect someone from stealing your idea. But, if someone else thinks of the same thing, that's not theft.

[fredtheviking]

Wow, I would have never thought of assoicating items put on a touchscreen with other bits of information and programs. I am so grateful that Microsoft was there to come up with that idea... wow. You got to be kidding me. I think the patent office should hire people who know and understand technology to determine whether a patent is really patentable (or should be patentable). I find it hard to believe that Microsoft has 10,000 patent-worthy patents.

[Vegaman_Dan]

It's no different at any other company. Apple is doing exactly the same thing. So is Sun and others. It's the business climate in place and this is the thing you do to protect yourself.

Don't blame the participants- blame the system that created the conditions.

[The_happy_switcher]

The USPTO is always hiring new examiners. If you have a BS in some kind of mathematical or science field that's a good starting point.

[Magallanes]

take note that a patent can last up to 20 years, so many Microsoft patent are expired and Microsoft can't ask for royalties.

[chabig83]

What? You think they filed these patent applications before 1989?

[viper396]

Wrong. Simple internet research shows that a large number of their patents where filed after 1990. That's when alot of patent trolls started to spring up and companies had to start protecting themselves from frivilous patent lawsuits.

[Norseman]

Does anyone see the irony in this? The most infamous copier of all time is trying to prevent people from copying their stuff!

[NeverFade]

lol - that's funny... and true!

[WDS2]

IBM generates several thousand patents a YEAR and has done so for decades. Over 3000 in 2006 and 2007 and over 4000 in 2008!

That said, the whole patent thing is a game that the companies play. IBM is just the best at it. Samsung keeps trying to beat them out but IBM knows how to win.

Many (maybe most) of the patents are completely legit but many are of dubious value too.

[The_happy_switcher]

I wonder when they well commemorate the 100,000th virus, give or take, that Microsoft OS software has so ignominiously given rise to.

[Seaspray0]

The number of viruses does not have a bearing on the number of vulnerabilities. Microsoft operating systems get targeted because they have the largest market share. If you think your computer is so secure, then read this...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10154662-83.html

"The Macintosh and base Linux kernel operating systems have dominated the top spots for vulnerabilities by operating system over the past three years"

[WulfTheSaxon]

@ Seaspray0

You might want to take a look at http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/22/security_report_windows_vs_linux/ before you claim Windows is so secure. Note, for instance, that Linux is used by 90% of servers (including *banks*). I'd say that's a fair incentive to hack it, don't you?

[The_happy_switcher]

"As for the 10,000th patent, it covers a technology used in computers like Microsoft's Surface" So this will be known as the Big-Ass Table patent?

[Vegaman_Dan]

With a name of AppleRocks1963, how exactly do you think your childish and immature comments reflect upon Apple users? Have you considered the amount of damage you are doing to the reputation of Macintosh users with your comments? You're giving Mac users a bad name, AppleRocks1963.

People, please don't believe that AppleRocks1963 speaks for anyone other than themselves. Do not let their tirades and tantrums color your view of Apple products or fans.

[The_happy_switcher]

So does this mean you're not sending me a Valentine Day's gift Danny boy?

[ralfthedog]

Microsoft will also celebrate their 10th patent that does not impinge on prior art.

Please note that while Microsoft has a patent on the use of humor or sarcasm in relation to computers and technology, I claim fair use.

[sanenazok]

infringe the prior art, you mean. Also, in granting patent, the patent office first reviews all prior art and adjudicates that the invention doesn't infringe prior art.

[WDS2]

"in granting patent, the patent office first reviews all prior art and adjudicates that the invention doesn't infringe prior art"

Companies have realized that if they bury the patent office in applications that they cannot possibly be well reviewed. Most patents get a cursory look at best.

[eudefender]

when will the patent bubble burst?

[Seaspray0]

It will burst when they are no longer enforced. i.e. The government of china does a very poor job of enforcing patents and copyrights. The answer to your question is atleast two dimensional... "when" depending on "where".

[WulfTheSaxon]

"Patents really are the currency of innovation in our industry."

That has to be the most hilarious quote I've heard out of Microsoft for a couple months :P