Re:Tim Berners-Lee Takes the Stand to Keep the Web Free
by mattmanser on Thursday February 09, 2012 @05:19AM
(#3570496)
Do you not remember the absurd scenario about 5 years about with click-to-activate Active X controls. MS found a way round it, but eventually caved to licensing because it was such a mess.
Re:Tim Berners-Lee Takes the Stand to Keep the Web Free
by EGreg on Thursday February 09, 2012 @02:50PM
(#3572712)
Yes, but suppose it was worse, suppose it was the idea of plugins in browsers. Or something like that.
What if someone right now goes ahead and patents the idea of apps for ... self driving cars? Or the idea of them using traffic maps?
Suppose Eolas' patents are upheld. And Eolas sues all the large websites for an INJUNCTION to PREVENT them from using "interactive elements". Suppose they don't want to license it. Or if they do, they demand $10 BILLION DOLLARS from each company.
What can anyone do about it at that point? Patent law in the US does not have a compulsory licensing provision.
If the eolas patent gets upheld, this could very well have extreme effects for several years on the whole world.