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Concept is Property = Property is Concept
Seems that almost all concepts are property now. Every idea has been registered as a trademark at some point. The concept of 'activity' notification in instant messageing is [registered patent] of Microsoft. At any time they could demand payment by anyone else who makes a messenger that detects the user typing or being away from their computer and subsequenlty updating this status in their IM client. Patent laws exist to protect the rights of inventors. However this is at the cost of freedom. We are rapidly reaching a point in society where most regularly used concepts are property... where am I going with this?
Nowhere. I just thought I'd say it. I find it frightening. When i yawn is it someone elses yawn? If I saw "Doh!" and slap my head do I have to pay Matt Groening £5?
Extreme examples, but my point is there are basic concepts that should not be the exclusive property of one assignee. The concept of away notification being one of them. I can only assume MS got this patent prior to the world being aware of the implications. Same way they actually got to register the phrase "Where Do You Want To Go Today?" as a trademark. Stupid I feel people should be violating deliberately in protest.
I've never checked and I'm frankly afraid to but is the concept of flight pateneted by the Wright brothers or someone else? And if so could they sue the birds for not paying homage?
