Google, Apple, Microsoft sued over icons

[SearchBliss]

If they beat these three, It'll be huge. The patent was applied for 2001 and granted in 2008.

A Michigan-based networking company on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Google, Microsoft, and Apple, alleging that all three tech giants violated a patent it owns on the use of document-preview icons--or thumbnails--in operating systems.

In the suit (PDF), Cygnus Systems targets Google's Chrome, Microsoft's Vista and Internet Explorer 8, and Apple's iPhone, Safari, and Mac OS X as patent infringers. Apple uses the patent-protected technology in its Finder and Cover Flow Mac OS X features, the lawsuit claims.

Cygnus describes the technology covered by the patent as "methods and systems for accessing one or more computer files via a graphical icon, wherein the graphical icon includes an image of a selected portion or portions of one or more computer files."

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[yousellstuff1]

wow, if this actually happens it will be incredible. I am sure it won't go through though.

[zendesigner]

the patent is obviously awsome if its real... but wasnt the use of graphical icons to access programs and files implemented even before 20001...? wayy befoe

[tempscript]

Not awesome, what will happen to our OS's as we know them...?

[malcolm1]

Interesting will have to keep checking back to see what happens...

thx for sharing

regards
malcolm

[ckgni]

Some companies are trying to make money from patents, suing other companies for funny things... But I doubt that they will earn something from this.

ps. the words in this post are patented. You use any of these words in your posts and I sue you after 7 years.

[zendesigner]

Originally Posted by ckgni

Some companies are trying to make money from patents, suing other companies for funny things... But I doubt that they will earn something from this.

ps. the words in this post are patented. You use any of these words in your posts and I sue you after 7 years.

lol i just quoted you

[ozre21]

the issue of sue is normal nowadays.It is easy way to earn a lot of money lol

[tjsocr22]

Thats so messed up and stupid. All of these massive companies will have to rework there software or be sued millions, that isn't fair at all.

[zendesigner]

Originally Posted by tjsocr22

Thats so messed up and stupid. All of these massive companies will have to rework there software or be sued millions, that isn't fair at all.

which is exactly why i think they wont change their softwares...

[almondj]

I'd totally go for sued for millions, fuck the little companies.

[Freewebspace]

This case is perfect example for misuse of Patent by the patent owner

[Ulquiorra]

They won't get sued, Cygnus will back out after being paid off by them out of court.

[SearchBliss]

Originally Posted by Ulquiorra

They won't get sued, Cygnus will back out after being paid off by them out of court.

This just opens the door for more lawsuits. I believe the big three will bury them with lawyer fees alone.

[Dr Googler]

it wouldnt of been granted if it had been invented already, probaly another useless patent

[IEmailer.com]

That's really interesting, but in my opinion i don't think they will even benefit out of it

[config_error]

wow..thats nice info