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One could interpret it as being more general or less but I
believe handhelds are the intended target.
The odd thing to me is I can't recall Microsoft ever pursuing
a patent litigation even when these are quite lucrative. While
I don't like the pursuit of frivolous patents, I like even
less the assertion that imply MS holding a patent is more dangerous
than any other bigCo. Nothing good will come of this until
smart people and organizations use the patenting process to
protect domains of intellectual property. Once again, look
at the potential for the three legs of smart standards and
standards organizations as IP keiretsu.
Fear is the mindkiller. - Herbert
len
From: Featherstone, Richard [mailto:Richard.Featherstone@bl.uk]
From: Bullard, Claude L (Len) [mailto:len.bullard@intergraph.com]
>From what I am reading, the patent only applies to handhelds.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1
&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,727,830.WKU.&OS=PN/6,727,830&RS=P
N/6,727,830
"This invention relates generally to computer systems, and more particularly
to increasing the functionality of application buttons on a limited resource
computing device."
I'm no expert on these matters but 'limited resource computing device' can
be applied to many devices. Does a mobile/cell phone with speed dial fall
foul of this patent?
It just worries me that a patent can be obtained for 'inventions' like this
and exactly what Microsoft may choose to due with such a patent.
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