Clicked on any good links lately? Don't tell British Telecom -- they'll tell
you that you're using their patented technology without a license!
Yes, that's right, British Telecom have decided that a patent they filed
many years ago to cover some of the navigational elements of their now
defunct VideoText system also covers HTML hypertext linking.
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In the wake of this revelation, BT has reportedly sent out demands to major ISPs, advising them that they
ought to seek a license to use this patented technology or prepare for legal
action.
Of course this latest claim by a company to "own" a core component of modern
technology is not new -- every now and then another idiot company pulls their
head out of the sand long enough to make a fool of themselves in this way.
Just a few months ago, the online ad-agency DoubleClick.com claimed they
owned the patent which covered the use of banner advertising networks to
target viewers.
A month or so before that, Amazon.com claimed that they owned the patent covering
online affiliate schemes.
Go back a bit further and we find that, believe it or not, a New Zealand
woman, Juliette Harrington claims to have a patent that covers some aspects
relating to the use of the shopping-cart metaphor in an e-commerce context.
Now, while nobody can dispute that the inventors of original ideas, methods
or devices deserve protection for their intellectual property -- some of these
new claims are patently ridiculous.
Fortunately I suspect that the courts will frown on any attempt by BT to
enforce a patent which it has allowed others to infringe for so many years.
Still.. it won't stop the rapidly growing tide of idiot attempts by those
who think they can make a fortune by coming out of the woodwork with
patents they've been sitting on for years.
As always, your feedback is welcomed.
