Facebook Ordered To Turn Over Source Code 304
consonant writes "A Delaware District Court judge has ordered Facebook to turn over ALL its source code to Leader Technologies, who allege patent infringements by Facebook. The patent in question appears to be for 'associating a piece of data with multiple categories.'
Additionally, while the judge in question deems it fine to let Leader Technologies look at Facebook's source (for a patent, no less!) in its entirety for a single feature, it would be 'overboard to ask a patent holder to disclose all of their products that practice any claim of the patent-in-suit.'"
Pretty absurd (Score:5, Funny)
Facebook should hire some of Diebold's lawyers. They're really good at keeping source private.
That claim (Score:3, Funny)
Of "associating a piece of data with multiple categories" sounds suspiciously like tags.
They'll come for slashcode next!
Raise Your Hand If You've Violated This Patent (Score:5, Funny)
I've got both hands in the air.
Re:Patent infringement x 2! (Score:5, Funny)
I tried to patent some code that checks submissions for stupid patents, but the patent office stack overflowed...
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Pretty absurd (Score:4, Funny)
One more thing I don't miss about Delaware... (Score:2, Funny)
CmdrTaco beware (Score:3, Funny)
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Patent infringement x 2! (Score:3, Funny)
I'd like to see their faces when they get to see the css and javascript.
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Pretty absurd (Score:3, Funny)
Only... (Score:1, Funny)
... on a computer!
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Raise Your Hand If You've Violated This Patent (Score:3, Funny)
In a second thought, I'd better don't know.
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:5, Funny)
Err... nevermind.
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:3, Funny)
I am sorry to sink your boat sir but I have a patent on smugness and refuse to license you for use in your product for less then, (pinky to corner of mouth) 1 million dollars muahahaha!!
Re:Well... (Score:1, Funny)
So it isn't quite as outrageous as TFS makes it appear.
Awww man, why did you go and read TFA?? You just spoiled it for everyone.
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:5, Funny)
Prior Art! [amazon.com]
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:4, Funny)
Sorry, but I have the patent on putting my pinky at the corner of my mouth and demanding huge ransoms while laughing in a maniacal way.
Oh, and it's usually 1 million, billion, fufillion, shabidydillion ... yen !!!
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Patent infringement x 2! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:2, Funny)
whats that about $5?
Re:American "Justice" (Score:4, Funny)
Its true they use patents more like negotiation chess pieces in some kind of tactical battle, but sometimes big companies do go after others big companies simply to achieve some tactical advantage. For example using the law as a delaying tactic against their opponent or to force them to give up some other patent rights as a negotiated compromise. Sadly its all tactical moves at their scale. It often has very little to do with engineering for them. They are more interested in its strategic value against opponents.
By anyway, this patent needs to die now. (http://www.google.com/patents?id=Ay99AAAAEBAJ&dq=7139761)
Its totally insane. In a long winded way as far as I can tell, its trying to say associating a piece of data with another piece of data. What like for example, associating a persons name with their postal address and then associating that postal address with their data of birth. etc.. etc.. etc.. Its what computers have been setup to do for decades!, yet this patent troll is trying to claim its their idea and Facebook should pay them!... yeah right, and how long after they go after Facebook, will it take them to then go after everyone else who uses a computer. I mean, FFS allowing patents like this makes a total mockery of the whole patent system.
[Disclaimer] I'm not a patent lawyer and these IP law comments are for entertainment purposes only
Re:Patent infringement x 2! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:3, Funny)
I actually hope Leader Technologies wins this, because I happen to hold the patent on "associating data with a single category," and every time they get royalties, so do I.
Not to brag, but I also hold the patents on associating data with:
Unfortunately, none of these others have yielded any proceeds yet except the first one, which I've profited from quite handsomely. Patenting data associated with no categories turned out to be my master stroke!
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:4, Funny)
... less then ...
I commend your efforts to avoid infringing my patent on spelling comparative phrases correctly.
*Applauds*
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:3, Funny)
*taps parent on shoulder*
Sorry to interrupt sir, but I wanted to let you know that the patent on understanding sarcasm has expired and you are hereby invited to use it.
Re:this patenting thing ... (Score:3, Funny)