E-Data Sues Over Downloading Patent (money for prior use)
 

sure it's old news to some of you...

E-Data Sues Over Downloading Patent
August 4, 2004
http://www.internetnews.com/ec-news/article.php/3390851

The E-Data intellectual property in question, U.S. patent No. 4,528,643, is known as "the Freeny patent." Although the patent was awarded before the rise of personal computers, CDs and MP3 players, Port Washington, N.Y.-based E-Data claims the Freeny patent covers the process of downloading media from a computer to such devices, as well as in-store kiosks. The Freeny patent expired in the U.S. in 2003, but still has almost a year before it expires in Europe. The company focused on licensing the patent abroad, and now has turned its attention back to the domestic scene. ."While it can no longer demand license fees, it can ask for money for prior use of the technology. It also can sue for damages caused by infringement in the last six years

they are crawling out of the woodwork:BangBang:

i hold the patent for sex, see you in court assholes

no shit eh

<--------- Do I know you? Why didn't I think to get that user name.... :winkwink:

welcome.

what amazed me the most was how FAR they are going back in time suing past infringers... 6 years. look at the list of companies that have already paid them. matter of time before they come after this industry, if they haven't already.

they're not just trying to "milk a cow", they're trying to milk a cow that you ate, digested and shit out 6 years ago. no wonder Patent farms/marketers/incubators are launching at a record rate.

Nickels, Dimes, Billions
Big tech companies are raking in big bucks?a little at a time-by charging fees for use of their innovations
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5578247/site/newsweek/

Special Report on 'Submarine' Patents Ripple High-tech Waters
"Submarine patents" are making waves throughout the industry. Will the companies at risk do some soul searching or fight?
http://www.internetnews.com/special/index.php/21231

LOL. I used this u/n (years ago) on many boards and was shocked it was available.

I emailed a contact @ C N N and they may run a more indepth story on this, but maybe only on their site.

ROFL ... Electronic patents should only last for a year or two

wishful thinking. but some of them should not be granted at all. i'm glad no one here is affected, yet.

when will these fuckers learn :BangBang:

They have.. they have learned that corporate america will rollover and pay extortion, i mean, licensing fees for broad/bogus patents.

Kudos to the members of the Defense Group for making a "business decision" to stand up and fight against bogus patent claims.


Fight the Steamroller!

Cant we all get along! This whole law-suit thing is becoming popular.

You should read the articles I posted above and you'll see there's more lawsuits where these came from. entire businesses set up to partner with IP rich fortune 1000 companies and help them license "forgotten" patents. I own a few patent related domains that deal with that specific business model and I get domain offers time to time, but get quite a few companies looking to milk their patent portfolio. sadly, it seems like the business to be in right now. that, or the COR business for 2257 archiving. :winkwink:

They will bleed us all dry if we let them! :BangBang:

I got nothing to worry about then :)
WG