U.S. Grants Patent For Using AJAX

[sinatosk]

Now any site that uses rich-media technology implementations, including Flash, Flex, Java, Ajax, and XAML, when the rich-media application is accessed on any device over the Internet, including desktops, mobile devices, set-top boxes, and video game consoles will need a licence.

- source 1

- source 2

:angry: !!!!!

now I'm not jumping into conclusions so don't start saying am some Linux guru/troll or whatever you guys call it... but someone said on the blogs

I'm surprised that no one noticed the law firm that was listed as the agent for the patent...

Attorney, Agent or Firm: Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds LLP

That should stoke the conspiracy fires a bit...

I didn't know who those names were so I went on google and searched for those names a result came back with this URL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preston_Gates_&_Ellis

again.... don't flame me but... is Microsoft behind this? ( and yes I know about XAML )

Edited March 11, 2006 by sinatosk

[RudyJ]

Here’s what the patent abstract says it covers: A host computer, containing processes for creating rich-media applications, is accessed from a remote user computer system via an Internet connection. User account information and rich-media component specifications are uploaded over the Internet for a specific user account. Rich-media applications are created, deleted, or modified in a user account, with rich-media components added to, modified in, or deleted from the rich-media application based on information contained in a user request. After creation, the rich-media application is viewed or saved on the host computer system, or downloaded to the user computer system over the Internet.

Because he began developing the methods and processes more than a half decade ago, he believes he can prove his invention is novel and nonobvious, two requirements to get a patent, and can fend off any patent challenges from potential licensees who might contend the invention is neither new nor obscure. “Are we ready to defend our patent?” Balthaser asks. “Absolutely. We’re ready to defend it vigorously if we have to. But [litigation is] not the approach we’re taking in terms of licensing.”

Well that just plain SUCKS! I seriously doubt this will really pull through though, they will be sued by HUGE companies till kingdom come to turn this around.

Edited March 7, 2006 by RudyJ

[+M2Ys4U Subscriber¹]

dumb question, but does WIPO protect patents or just copyright and trademarks?

[DigeratiPrime]

I remeber Balthaser from a while back on the internet, they had a website done completely in flash that you could use to make your own website using templates etc.

However this patent is insane.

[Quillz]

This does suck, but I thought Sun Microsystems already received royalties, since they own Java?

[leesmithg]

So the Americans own this:

and this:

Bizarre indeed!

[Hurmoth]

:o How can they do this? Isn't XAML Microsoft's, Java is a Sun Microsystems', Flash is Macromedia's, and so forth and so on. How can they patent the use of something they didn't create or own in the first place?

[Digitalx]

mmm that is very weird coz AJAX is multiple language based so in theory they would have to patent both languages to take full charge and start making AJAX a licensing language for companys to use. and sif some small ass company or person can patent javascript and XML otherwise it could be exploited in many way if you think about it because AJAX can be implimented into many languages you could say that its not AJAX and that its just XML and Javascript which ISNT AJAX lol pantent idiots these days, need to get a life.

[Miuku.]

Non-Issue as it'll never hold up in court and it's US only so I can wipe my tushy with this whole deal.

[KayMan2K]

Further proof the U.S. patent system is very much so out of hand. But you have to seriously wonder if anything will come of this.

Thousands of companies have 'rich media' applications, this patent is simply too generic. Remember when someone was awarded a patent for the hyperlink? How much did they ever make in royalities?

[hotdog666al]

F*** that S***.

[JK1150]

Further proof the U.S. patent system is very much so out of hand. But you have to seriously wonder if anything will come of this.

Thousands of companies have 'rich media' applications, this patent is simply too generic. Remember when someone was awarded a patent for the hyperlink? How much did they ever make in royalities?

Let's not blame soley the US, don't forget the UK's mess with GMail having to be renamed googlemail

[ThePitt]

oh yes. this plain sucks. and will be extended.

[RudyJ]

Let's not blame soley the US, don't forget the UK's mess with GMail having to be renamed googlemail

That was not patent but (name)copyright related as far as I can remember.

[georgevella]

Let's not blame soley the US, don't forget the UK's mess with GMail having to be renamed googlemail

I taught that was only Germany!

Whatever, this patent thingy only affects the US right? Its not a worldwide thingy?

[mad_onion]

Let's not blame soley the US, don't forget the UK's mess with GMail having to be renamed googlemail

actually lets, its one thing to brand your product the same way as somenoe else. but the us patent system is just poorly made if this kinda of thing can pass as patentable.

[Echilon]

It's not going to stop me using it on my site :p

[Colin-uk Veteran]

:o How can they do this? Isn't XAML Microsoft's, Java is a Sun Microsystems', Flash is Macromedia's, and so forth and so on. How can they patent the use of something they didn't create or own in the first place?

Thats what i thought...

plus, too many companies / people are using / have created AJAX based applications now... I dont see this going anywhere really IMO...

[Andre]

How long before some idiot patents air. Stupid USA! >_<

[markwolfe Veteran]

now I'm not jumping into conclusions so don't start saying am some Linux guru/troll or whatever you guys call it...

We "Open Source" types of people generally dislike all software patents. :p

[zivan56]

I believe there is tons of "prior art" which would bring this patents down. Not to mention it involves the use of other company's already patented stuff. Its like saying I will put a honda engine, a ferrari body, etc etc and patent it as a car (and nobody can create a car without royalties). In the worst case (if this company wins court cases), the stated names like "flash" etc can be renamed to take care of this issue.

[JiveMasterT]

Whats with these interns in the patent office?!

[Alex Suraci]

Good luck chasing down all the sites that use this technology. ;)

This won't change anything, it'll just be ignored. ;)

Stupid USA! >_<

Ugh, I'm tired of stuff like this. You're acting like everyone in USA agrees with this patent.

[advancedboy]

so.. AJAX was the fuel for web 2.0 as we know it... and these Preston Gates guys are like.... complete morons

[sdb815]

This sounds like one of those competitions patent lawyers have to see who can get the most rediculous thing patented.