http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=180206472&cid=RSSfeed_IWK_News

Quote :

"A patent has been granted to a relatively unknown California Web-design firm for an invention its creator says covers the design and creation of most rich-media applications used over the Internet. The patent holder, Balthaser Online Inc., says it could license nearly any rich-media Internet application across a broad range of devices and networks. Potentially tens of thousands of businesses--not only software makers employing its business processes but companies offering rich-media on their Websites--could be subject to licensing fees when they use rich-media technology over the Internet. The patent--issued on Valentine's Day--covers all rich-media technology implementations, including Flash, Flex, Java, Ajax, and XAML, when the rich-media application is accessed on any device over the Internet, including desktops, mobile devices, set-top boxes, and video game consoles, says inventor Neil Balthaser, CEO of Balthaser Online, which he owns with his father Ken. "You can consider it a pioneering or umbrella patent. The broader claim is one that basically says that if you got a rich Internet application, it is covered by this patent." Rich media is a broad range of interactive digital media that display dynamic motion, exploiting enhanced sensory traits such as video, audio and animation. "

jesus christ. at least there's this

Quote :

"Because he began developing the methods and processes more than a half decade ago, he believes he can prove his invention is novel and nonobvious, two requirements to get a patent, and can fend off any patent challenges from potential licensees who might contend the invention is neither new nor obscure. "Are we ready to defend our patent?" Balthaser asks. "Absolutely. We're ready to defend it vigorously if we have to. But [litigation is] not the approach we're taking in terms of licensing." "

[Edited on February 23, 2006 at 11:10 AM. Reason : ,]

2/23/2006 11:08:54 AM

4 posts down - gg

2/23/2006 11:12:08 AM

I like how they use the term "more than a half decade ago" to make it sound like a long time, but it really just means 5 years.
I forsee some big lawsuits coming, but if it comes before a competent and somewhat technically savvy judge, he'll dismiss it or make sure they lose.

2/23/2006 11:12:58 AM

http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=390141

Yours does have a better tagline.

2/23/2006 11:13:10 AM

sorry, I looked, I just didn't see that; I guess it didn't catch my eye.

2/23/2006 11:14:29 AM