Friendster Patents Social Networking

Pontifex maximus writes "Friendster has said that as of this week, it has a patent covering online social networks. It applied for the patent before the company's downward spiral and recent growth." From the article: "'It's way too early to say' whether the company would pursue licenses and litigation from its competitors, Friendster President Kent Lindstrom told RedHerring.com. 'We'll do what we can to protect our intellectual property.' Though the Friendster patent could be challenged in either the patent system or the courts, opponents would face an uphill battle. 'Once the patent is issued there is a presumption of validity that follows with it,' said attorney Bill Heinze of Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley."

I'm still waiting for someone to file a patent...

[Avillia]

On useless, stupid, generic patents which are otherwise covered by prior art and have existed in some incarnation for years.

Of course, then every day would be a slow news day on Slashdot.

Well, I'm going to steal their thunder...

[icebrain]

and file a patent for "social connections." I will call my invention a "friend."

Prior Art Indeed

[atari2600]

It's called Slashdot. Here a bunch of single male geeks (for most part) connect together (and flame together!) in an online computer system based on their relationships (or lack of them). Go taco - go sue them! Atari2.6k PS: I am a single male geek and /. is my life *shes a tear*

Little do they know...

[Peter Trepan]

I've patented the process of affecting hipness in order to obtain paper friendships within an online community. Soon I'll 0wn Friendster and MySpace both!

Re:Well, I'm going to steal their thunder...

[Pearson]

Your term "friend" is clearly derived from our company name "Friendster." See you in court!! >:) Sincerely, K. Lindstrom

Is it too late to patent "antisocial networking"?

[the_REAL_sam]

Dang. Is it too late to patent "antisocial networking"?

Seriously though, there are already tons of websites doing that, right? Myspace, Hi5, every single chat engine in the world, online email services that allow you to remember your friends' email addresses.

To qualify for a patent they have to be able to demonstrate that their idea would not be obvious to the most people (or the average person?) in their field. In this case, the field has already demonstrated that the idea is obvious, since the entire field has already done it.

The Patent House of Horrors at /.

[Anonymous Coward]

Howdy folks! Come on in. I see your post count is higher than this here tiny signpost, so feel free to enter the patent house of horrors at Slashdot...

Oooh. Here comes the deluge of "Oh yeah, I'm going to patent ..." posts! You'll want to avoid these at all costs - most are obvious, and all are interchangeable - none are funny. If you proceed carefully around this corner, try to make out some of the "Prior Art" posts on the left, and there, on the right. These are often quite interesting. Did you bring your blindfolds (NetHackers I'm talking to you)? Good. Make sure you keep them handy when coming across posts that think Copyright, Trademarks and Patents are interchangeable. These can actually burn the eyes.

Remember, making your way around YRO Patent topics can be fun. Just tread cautiously and don't take anything too seriously. Especially off topic RIAA rants (those are just here to entertain) Enjoy the show!

Re:Old Process + Internet = Patent

[Gat0r30y]

I'll only vote for you if your campaign slogan is "Vote for 218170 - He's #1!"

hehe

[voice_of_all_reason]

I forwarded this to my work email group. Outlook's spellcheck suggested I change "Friendster' to "Fraudster." How apropos...

Accidental infringement

[Ithika]

I don't think there will be any slashdotters accidentally infringing on the patent of making friends.

Re:A Letter to the USPTO

[GigG]

Dear USPTO, You REALLY dumb fucks. Sincerely, The other 1/2 of the Internet.