"Upgrade" Button is Patented -- Trolls Come Out of Sewers...

[Renegade]

I utterly fail to understand how a BUTTON can be patented...

http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2011/05/patent-troll-shakes-down-iphone-app-programmers.ars

Several iOS programmers on Friday morning said they received a legal complaint from Lodsys, a patent-holding firm.

Lodsys is accusing the developers of infringing a patent related to the usage of an “upgrade” button that customers can use to upgrade from a free version of an app to a paid version, or to make purchases from within an app.

I have no clue... Stunned... It's every bit as idiotic as "1-click".

But really? A button? To upgrade? Huh? 

[f0dder]

Trollsys.

"A button that says upgrade" is dumbing down the actual patent a bit too much, but nevertheless is is a silly patent, and the trollsys guys are the kind on (un)human beings that deserve to wake up with and icepick in their skulls.

[40hz]

If push comes to shove, that particular patent has a life expectancy measured in milliseconds if they take it to court.  But they're definitely bottom feeding here. I'd guess Microsoft would be amused to learn their Win7 "anytime upgrade" button is patented.  Expect amicus briefs to be filed shortly - along with a motion to invalidate the patent.

[f0dder]

If push comes to shove, that particular patent has a life expectancy measured in milliseconds if they take it to court.  But they're definitely bottom feeding here. I'd guess Microsoft would be amused to learn their Win7 "anytime upgrade" button is patented.  Expect amicus briefs to be filed shortly - along with a motion to invalidate the patent.

Would Microsoft be able to enter the fray if they aren't being sued by the company? Makes you wonder why they're bottom feeding...

[Renegade]

Trollsys.

"A button that says upgrade" is dumbing down the actual patent a bit too much, but nevertheless is is a silly patent, and the trollsys guys are the kind on (un)human beings that deserve to wake up with and icepick in their skulls.

I like that~!

[Eóin]

Rant warning...

I completely agree that they are inhuman exploitative scum, what I hate more are the ordinary folks that celebrate these types of people as capitalistic heros, fighting the good fight to make money at all costs.

[f0dder]

what I hate more are the ordinary folks that celebrate these types of people as capitalistic heros, fighting the good fight to make money at all costs.

Those people don't deserve the ice-pick treatment. It'd be more appropriate for them to wake up in a 3rd-world country with no money.

[40hz]

If push comes to shove, that particular patent has a life expectancy measured in milliseconds if they take it to court.  But they're definitely bottom feeding here. I'd guess Microsoft would be amused to learn their Win7 "anytime upgrade" button is patented.  Expect amicus briefs to be filed shortly - along with a motion to invalidate the patent.

Would Microsoft be able to enter the fray if they aren't being sued by the company? Makes you wonder why they're bottom feeding...

I think they're playing a long shot hoping some big player will pay them off to go away. And also to be a barb for one of the players. Sorta like those countries with migrating loyalties that used to be so adept at playing the USA and the Soviet Union off against each other. It could go something like Apple decides to pay off the troll and tacitly acknowledge their IP. Now, with the weight of Apple behind it, troll sues Microsoft - and sets the value of the claim for damages squarely in the nuisance range so that Microsoft has incentive to settle. A parasite survives by not killing its host.  

Of course, Microsoft did something similar with it's semisecret cross-license deal with Novell over Linux. It uses that to spread FUD in the business community about FOSS by saying "See!!! SUSE recognizes the legal and technical validity of our OS patents. Why can't all the other distros, and their users, "get legal" by obtaining a license from us before it's too late? Because we'd sure hate to have to start hauling you guys into court. And right now we're just biding our time..."

Same old "same old."

[mahesh2k]

Next patent buttons in queue - +1 and Like.

[worstje]

Next patent buttons in queue - +1 and Like.

Now those I could live without. Those social media buttons are the bane of my 2k1x browsing existence.

[db90h]

You know, I've just about had it... patents, greed, fraud, scams, ... Everybody wants to get rich *without* working. People feel entitled to it for simply thinking they are smarter than the average Joe. They think dreaming up an idea is worth millions. Trading a few stocks in our casino market place is a 'job'. Is this the American way? Screw this.

Look, when government intervenes to ensure the PEOPLE stay prosperous and healthy, everyone wins. When government leaves capitalism to go its merry way, those at the top win, and everyone else is 'milked' until they dry up -- then it all falls apart. Because, hey, guess what -- trickle down economics is BS.

I wish we could have common sense in DC. Common freaking sense. No more money. I don't see how we'll ever get to that point. It will require this country first fall into shambles, which we aren't far from. We're only being kept afloat artificially at this point.

There needs to be a new, non-violent revolution in this country. Consumerism. We, as consumers, have the ultimate power --- IF we would just choose to exercise it. YOU vote with your wallets. After all, the Supreme Court said money is speech, declaring corporations 'people' (how whack is that?). Choose carefully who you spend your money with. That is the only way to save this country.

BTW, Apple tends to fight patent challenges like this on behalf of developers. It won't go anywhere.

[db90h]

deleted absurdly rude, sarcastic post making fun of these people who patent every passing idea, as if their every thought is something brilliant

[vlastimil]

We, as consumers, have the ultimate power --- IF we would just choose to exercise it. YOU vote with your wallets.

Sometimes I agree with this, but more often I remain pessimistic. This would only work if a large percentage of people did it. If 95% of people ignore common sense and just buy what they are told to buy by smart marketers, the remaining 5% can vote with their wallets all they want and nothing ever changes - except that we are considered weird and laughed at by those 95%.

95% of people don't care about patents...

[db90h]

We, as consumers, have the ultimate power --- IF we would just choose to exercise it. YOU vote with your wallets.

Sometimes I agree with this, but more often I remain pessimistic. This would only work if a large percentage of people did it. If 95% of people ignore common sense and just buy what they are told to buy by smart marketers, the remaining 5% can vote with their wallets all they want and nothing ever changes - except that we are considered weird and laughed at by those 95%.

95% of people don't care about patents...

Pessimism, ah, how refreshing. I know it well. While you are right, this can not excuse us from doing the right thing. It may never change a things on a large-scale, but at least it will help those few good companies and individuals in the world.

[Renegade]

deleted absurdly rude, sarcastic post making fun of these people who patent every passing idea, as if their every thought is something brilliant

Just stick it in a SPOILER tag and mark it NSFW if need be =D

These are not the droids you are looking for...

[Stoic Joker]

deleted absurdly rude, sarcastic post making fun of these people who patent every passing idea, as if their every thought is something brilliant

Bummer, I rather liked it. As it vilified the core behavior that is killing innovation. Back when innovators really did, the plan was to build a better mousetrap. Now the prevailing M.O. is to build a complete shit mouse trap, and force everyone that wants to create a (truly working) rodent disposal device to hemorrhage cash to you for (basically) nothing.

[Carol Haynes]

I just registered a patent for the "Send" button in email clients ... now cough up DC users $10 a head!

[db90h]

I just applied for a patent on patents!!!!!

[Renegade]

What I would REALLY like is to patent a process for expelling waste fluids and solids from the human body.

My opening statement for my first patent suit would be, "Why aren't your eyes yellow? And why do you find it easy to sit?"

[Target]

What I would REALLY like is to patent a process for expelling waste fluids and solids from the human body.

My opening statement for my first patent suit would be, "Why aren't your eyes yellow? And why do you find it easy to sit?"

Brilliant!! you're patenting trolling

[lanux128]

"Please be informed that we have filed an application for a patent on all discussions on patents in a public or private forums. Therefore we will be contacting each and everyone participating in this thread for an infringement of the above-mentioned patent."

[db90h]

Too late, I already patented lawsuits.

[lanux128]

Too late, I already patented lawsuits.

Sir, you have been served notice of a counter-suit regarding your patent on lawsuit(s).

[worstje]

I've got a patent on the active process of exchanging oxygen with carbondioxide in the bloodstream by means of hemaglobine, and using a regular pumping spasm in the heart of moving around these interesting little molecules. I demand compensation for your rights to breathe. I PUT WORK INTO READING THIS THREAD AND WRITING THIS PARAGRAPH, THAT'S WHY.

[J-Mac]

Hmm.. Sounds like a waste of a perfectly good icepick tp leave it there. OK to use one... just take it with you when you leave!

Jim