How are narrowly drafted patents virtually worthless to anyone an indictment on the patent system?

  If Microsoft wants to patent this silly idea, so what? All you have to do to get around the patent is put the emotiflag in the message body. Geez. The sky is not falling.

I couldn't agree more. *flame on* Most of the slashdotters just wave their hands and say "oh this is SOOOO obvious..blah blah blah" but hardly any try to actually find something that teaches the "obvious" invention (that published before the filing date). It's always "oh everyone knows that". Well, if everyone knows it then it shouldn't take but a few seconds on google, should it?

I'm all for the patent statutes being amended and the system being overhauled, but geez, don't bash the examining corp for following the current law. If you think a patent is invalid and is threatening your business or innovation FILE A REEXAM OF THE PATENT. It's cheaper than litigation and if you think the patent is "bad" then supply the art and invalidate the thing. Geez. *flame off*.