Archive of UserLand's first discussion group, started October 5, 1998.
Re: Spawn of the Devil?
Author: Tom von Alten Posted: 7/26/2000; 8:29:47 PM Topic: Spawn of the Devil? Msg #: 19157 (In response to 19063) Prev/Next: 19156 / 19158
There's nothing novel about the idea, and the implementation is obvious to anyone skilled in developing web applications."Obvious to one skilled in the art" is a tricky business. So much is obvious to skilled practioners after it's been explained or demonstrated, but they didn't do it. (Excepting cases where prior art exists, of course.)
"Seemingly obvious to the patent examiner" is one test. As was pointed out, the hurdles to challenging a patent may be greater than the cost of licensing or rerouting. There are lots of things that should have been challenged, and thrown out, but never were. (The patent on the 31/2" disk form factor comes to mind.)
A common corporate response, which Bezos echoes, is to create a portfolio that provides both offense and defense.
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