‘IP troll’ goes after Microsoft, Apple, Google
p2pnet news view | Off Topic:- Under the headline ‘IP Troll Sues Microsoft, Apple And Google Over Image Previews, Cygnus Systems claims it owns a patent on general previewing feature used by most of the operating systems and browsers to show small images of the files before opening them, says ITProPortal.
Cygnus cites Microsoft’s Windows Vista and Internet Explorer 8, Google’s Chrome web browser, and Apple’s Safari, Mac OS X and iPhone, as the major infringers, says the story.
The company applied for patent # 7346850 in 2001, says the IDG News Service.
It covers a, “System and method for iconic software environment management”" and was granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office in March of this year, it states.
“Don’t we all hate patent trolls?” - asks IDG, adding:
“These companies are merely after tech companies to get big bucks and are an obstacle to innovation, with the lawyers being the only side that truly reaps the rewards. ”
Says the patent abstract:
“A method and system for storing, navigating and accessing files within an operating system through the use of a graphical thumbnail representing the video display of the active document within the active application, and organized chronologically by the most recent file ‘captured’. Filenames, application names and thumbnail filenames are stored in an indexed file. The indexed file can consist of every document and application used during a session or categorically defined by project or tasks or personal preference. This also stores the application name and path eliminating the need to remember which application last edited the file and where the application is located.”
ITProPortal - IP Troll Sues Microsoft, Apple And Google Over Image Previews, December 29, 2008
IDG News Service - Google, Apple, Microsoft sued over file preview, December 24, 2008
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December 29th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
ridiculous! I’m starting to doubt if any of what I read here on this site is actually happening, it’s just way too far out there… why don’t they just sue their own mothers for giving birth to their dumb asses? honestly, thumbnails?
December 29th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Preview has prior art well before 2001. They are screwed!
it is like the Gui or the mouse. 1965!
December 29th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
The Patent office is full of lazy butts to lazy to do their research properly!
December 29th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
The patent # 7346850 is invalid because of prior art.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:33 am
Yet another reason why patents and copyrights should be abolished.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:36 am
IP[Intellectual Property] is simply a state sponsored monopoly. It has no place in a world with free trade. It’s time to eradicate it once and for all.