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Hyperlinks from CD to the web might be patent violations
So you know how new computer hardware sometimes doesn't even come with a printed manual anymore, because the whole thing is on a CD, or even the web? Yeah, that last part's getting called into question.Disc Link, a subsidiary of Acacia Technologies Group (an organization that basically buys up patents so that it can sue anyone who violates them), claims that it's patent number 6,314,574 covers hyperlinks from documents stored on a CD that send users to sites on the web.
Last week, Disc Link filed suit against Borland, Business Objects, Compuware, Corel, Eastman Kodak, Novell, Oracle, and SAP, claiming they all violate its patent.
[via Techdirt]
Comments
9
Subscribe to commentsJohnApr 18th 2007 2:57PM
This patent stuff is getting really stupid. Next thing you know, someone will patent hyperlinking between two websites...
dcstammApr 19th 2007 5:10PM
Where can we submit examples of prior art. This is absolutely ridiculous. I was doing this in 1996.
DiddleApr 18th 2007 2:58PM
I'll second that. Patent law seriously needs to be reviewed.
I think I'll patent "making comments on website postings". :rolleyes:
DApr 18th 2007 2:58PM
Disc Link are "donkeys".
JamesApr 18th 2007 3:24PM
I think the easiest way to sort this out would be to allow all the targeted companies to pool their resources and counter-sue the patent troll into penury -- not sure what to charge them with; maybe they should make willful patent trolling (under a cleaner-sounding name) a felony.
KevinApr 18th 2007 3:53PM
Good grief...do you think they waited long enough to build a case?
unnamedApr 19th 2007 12:21AM
*achoo* Sorry I'm allergic to total BS. This is getting ridiculous! It's like "If you can't beat 'em, sue 'em" It may sound childish, but why can't they just all get along?
james 42Apr 18th 2007 6:39PM
"willful patent trolling" is a brilliant description, I would not change a word!
I will not vote for any candidate who does not support the enactment of this new law. The revolution starts now!
MysteriusApr 18th 2007 7:29PM
In a rational world, Acacia's lawsuit would raise the ire of so many companied potentially threatened by the suit (virtually any company that has products on CDs), that they'll get counter-sued into oblivion. Let's see whether reason prevails.