microsoft patent with idea's from this list

[Mathieu Rochette]

Peter Nijs wrote:
> I've just read a (Dutch) news article
> (http://tweakers.net/nieuws/58158/microsoft-wil-brug-tussen-smartphone-en-pc-
> patenteren.html) which describes a new patent microsoft filed. In the article
> is a link to an English description of the patent.
> (http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/description?CC=WO&NR=2009012344A2&KC=A2&FT=D&date=20090122&DB=EPODOC&locale=en_US)
>
> The patent describes a dock for a smartphone, which connects to external
> devices such as a keyboard, mouse, screen,... wired or wireless. Now I think
> Openmoko already does a lot of these things, and other things have already
> been thought of. We can already hook up wired and wireless devices (such as
> mice and keyboards) to the Freerunner. I'm almost sure someone suggested
> hooking up an external screen to it. That's technically not possible, but it's
> been thought of. Integrating the wired connection between FR and the external
> devices has also been thought of earlier in this list.

wikipedia says:
 > > a patent application must include one or more claims defining the > 
 > > invention which must be new, inventive, and useful or industrially 
 > > applicable.

"one or more" means that even if prior art exists, it can still be 
patented. This is different from intellectual property where anteriority 
prevent copyright. (at least in france)

>
> I'm not a lawyer, but since the patent was published on the 22th of January, I
> think for some parts of this patent, there is some sort of "prior art"
> involved. Also it wouldn't surprise me if Microsoft and Apple are
> eavesdropping on this list. (Note to Microsoft and Apple: Please don't steal
> our idea's. If you do: Please die a slow and painfull death.)
>
> mvg,
> depeje
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Openmoko community mailing list
> community at lists.openmoko.org
> http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community