● 04.30.08
●● Another Microsoft Patent Deal, No Linux Though
Posted in Asia, Deals, Google, Microsoft, Patents at 11:22 pm by Dr. Roy Schestowitz
Microsoft patent deals such as this latest one would not be worth mentioning under most circumstances. However, interestingly enough, it is a Chinese company that pays for imaginary things, which almost contradicts de facto law and practice in that nation [1, 2].
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Microsoft Corp. and Beijing Komoxo Mobile Software Inc. today announced a patent licensing agreement on text-input technologies for mobile devices. The licensed patents allow Komoxo to integrate Microsoft’s statistical language modeling methods into its next-generation text-input engine for reduced keypad and touch-screen devices, and deliver new mobile innovations to consumers around the world.
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“Statistical language modeling methods” sounds like mathematics. Is China buying permission for writing algorithms? We are in danger of approaching a state where there is too much binary or digital collision between computer programs and the patent system is then rendered moot or makes a chaotic sea of lawsuits. Several days ago we mentioned an article from The Economist, wherein almost a million patent lawsuits are predicted, in China alone.
For the record, Xomoxo seems to have nothing to do with Linux, based on a basic Web search.
Microsoft is not the only company to be accused and it’s important not to be IPocrities. Google too is now patenting behaviour and algorithms for studying it.
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Since not every single one gets clicked on, Google’s ads might be considered less than perfect. A new patent application would make behavioral targeting a central part of improving them.
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Meanwhile, it’ll be worth watching Microsoft, Yahoo, AOL, Ask, and every other search company to see if they pursue similar paths. Patent applications sometimes spill the beans, so to speak, and set off a race even as businesses try to stay in the clear legally.
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Patenting behavioral things, eh? Next best thing to patents on stem cells. █
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