Sony and Activision Get (Patent) Trolled

[SpamNEggs]

This looks to me like one more example of an over reaching patent. A device or method to reduce illegal copies?!? This could conseviably include every CD/DVD ever released since they are harder to copy than floppies that's a device that reduces copies. It could include any software that requires a log in, like facebook or WoW or the Nuclear Regulatory Commition's data base. I am just amazed that these patents made it though, it's like apples patent on "power regulation in digital camera's" This effectively gives apple a patent on digital cameras since they all need power regulation of some kind, being electronic devices.

Pray this patent gets shot down HARD, and the patent office starts getting much more restrictive on patents. I really don't want to see a patent on "cloth made of fibers"....Smuckers has already patented the PB&J sandwich.

 

[Killerbunny001]

it seems too abstract an idea to patent...

So very true. Anyway, I have to go run to the office and try and patent hot water now. If this works I am so going to rape people.

 

[Isalan]

Litigation. Cos going out and doing some fucking work is just beyond some people.

OT: If this leads to the abolition of DRM and all that kinda crap, then I might suddenly be all changed around on the subject. Though I can't see that happening.

 

[TOGSolid]

I've never rooted for a patent troll before, but there's a first time for everything! Go Uniloc!

 

[Sol_HSA]

Sony's SecuROM, Activision's product activation and registration system, Aspyr's product registration system and others are named as specific examples of infringement which have caused "reparable and irreparable damage" to Uniloc.

Funny. I thought those systems are specific examples of things that have caused irreparable damage to the whole civilization.

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

Seems like desperation to me. A last shot effort at big money before they disappear completely.

Did you miss the part where they sued Microsoft in 2003 and made $383 million out of it?! What have they done to that money meanwhile?!

EDIT: That lawsuit actually was just settled last year so obviously this is far from being a last shot but instead a: "Hey, it worked against Microsot! So look how many more big companies using our DRM technology we can still milk".

 

[Delusibeta]

The irony is that Uniloc *has* does something in the field of DRM in the last few years: specifically, Sega's adopted them as their DRM of choice for PC games (for Alpha Protocol and AFAIK the recent Football Manager games, and probably a few more).

 

[razer17]

Good. Sue these idiots who ever introduced this idiotic DRM that doesn't benefit anyone at all. I hope they win and the respective publishers stop with this nonsense completly.

Well, no. Because all that will happen if Uniloc win is that they license the idea of DRM, so Activision or UBi or whoever pays a license fee to use DRM.

Personally, I can't see them winning. A: They have waited for a LONG time. B: they clearly have a past for frivolous lawsuits. C: I don't think that patent will hold up. It's far too general.

 

[Eviljesse]

This makes no sense. I wasn't aware it was possable to patent a vague idea. It seems to me that it would be like getting a patent on a "mobile transport system" then sueing anyone who made a car, train, horse carriage, motorcycle... etc.

Also, why would we support removing DRM? Is it annoying? It sure as hell can be, but aren't thieves more annoying? Does DRM stop all software piracy? No, but I believe the companies that spend millions and millions making games and other programs have a right to do whatever it takes to stop the thieves. Now if this "idea" was stolen then Uniloc has a right to try and stop that as well. I doubt any of the named companies looked to Uniloc and thought "You know that is a great idea, lets steal it" I'm sure it went more like "All these damned thieves would rather steal from us than buy our product, or even worse steal from us and make copies then make money off it, what can we do to stop this?" I mean common friggan sense tells you to develop some sort of way to "create a system to reduce software piracy".....uggggghhhh.

The real criminal here is the US patent office for allowing anyone to patent such a vague and undiscriptive idea. I wish I could go back and patent "A device or system to prevent or reduce break-ins" Then I could get rich off anyone who made a lock, alarm system, electric barking machine, put a chair against the door, nailed the door shut, put bars on their windows, built walls, fences, installed or invented motion lights, and etc, etc, etc.... you get the point. Sounds stupid dosen't it. Thats exactly what this is.... stupid.

Decided to add a bit.

I'm not saying I agree 100% with DRM or that I even like it, but to those of you who are hating on it so much, how would it feel if you knew that someone or many someones, were going to be stealing from you, you know its going to happen. Ok, now, what if you were told you weren't allowed to do anything to try and stop them except ask them nicely, or take them to court, one at a time, assuming you can even find them. Seems unfair.

This ranks up there with the person that sued McDonalds for the coffee cup not warning that the coffee was hot..... not as stupid but close.

 

[patent litigation]

"Patent troll" seems to be in the eye of the beholder. Simply filing a suit in the Eastern District of Texas does not qualify one as a troll. The "patent troll" is a myth propagated mainly by large corporations angered after having to pay up for infringing others' IP rights. To my mind, deliberate infringement is worse than asserting a valid right.
http://www.generalpatent.com/media/videos/patent-troll

 

[mayney93]

All I can say is that, A CHALLENGER APPEARS!!!