Microsoft Wants More Patents

Found on Techdirt on Wednesday, 28 July 2004
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It's unfortunate that companies still feel the need to equate patents to "innovation" when the opposite is often true. These days, unfortunately, many companies feel the need to get patents simply as a defensive measure. Whether for defense or offense, it appears that Bill Gates believes Microsoft needs more patents.

Some recently noted Microsoft patents include saving the name of a game you're playing, showing that someone is "typing a message" in IM software, thread based email, writing an application in HTML, grouping programs together in the taskbar, pronouns used in programming and the concept of giving "kudos" points for style and flair. Well, kudos to Microsoft then, on the style and flair with which they've been granted so many questionable patents.

If MS gets one of those patents, then there is something very wrong with the patent system (well, even more wrong). It's always amazing what ridiculous patents are granted.