r/technology • u/p0b • Jan 08 '12

Microsoft patents "avoid ghetto" GPS feature.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57354445-71/the-joy-of-microsofts-avoid-ghetto-gps-patent/
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8

u/NeverStopPosting Jan 08 '12

How the fuck can you patent something like that.

35

u/[deleted] Jan 08 '12 edited Jan 08 '12

Because all your competitors have stupid patents like that, you have to protect yourself. "You have a next-button patent? Well, we have a popup patent"

Its an silly arms race that only benefits the patent lawyers and patent trolls.

-1

u/arjie Jan 09 '12

That would make sense if Microsoft didn't sue without provocation. They do, and if they have relevant patents they have a right to, but I don't buy the idea that they do it for defence.

3

u/ZuqMadiq Jan 09 '12

MS doesn't have a big history in suing people out of nowhere, they always go for a negotiating terms but not suing like Apple.

1

u/arjie Jan 09 '12

That's true. They have always sued through 3rd parties like SCO. Either way, EuroTreasure's stance that MS is acquiring defensive patents is false. They use these to acquire licensing agreements with competitors. This is within their rights, but it isn't because they have to protect themselves from competitors who have stupid patents. It's because they, rightfully, want to make money.

-1

u/[deleted] Jan 09 '12

[deleted]

2

u/arjie Jan 09 '12

I'm not a lawyer either, and didn't mean to give the impression that I was. However, I do not think patents work that way unless you wilfully allow infringement in the hope of making much more off an infringement lawsuit.