Pixelated Semantics

A schizotypical inventory

Exemplary forms of control over time

Self-reinforcing idiosyncracy is a corporate trait well-known to the likes of Bill Gates: "We think -patent for patent- what we are doing is, if anything, more important than what others are doing..." The implications however are wider than mere self-glorification, as a Slashdot reader points out: "the application of ... abstract techniques and utilities to solving a particular business problem is not a patentable idea. It is a fundamental concept of the industry. We now have the USPTO not merely patenting business concepts, but architectural concepts and theoretical interfaces like the association of time with an image... they are allowing Microsoft to patent a naturally observable attribute of a real-world object.". Their latest patent contains a semantic caveat that provides virtually unlimited scope to retrospectively assert ownership of an idea:

"[0072] Although the systems and methods have been described in language specific to structural features and/or procedures, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or procedures described. Rather, the specific features and procedures are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claimed invention."

The importance is in Microsoft's ability to control the past, present, and future, of any idea it claims is related to the revenue-generating streams of its operations.

Item posted by AutoEditor at 12:07 pm ::