**Paging Mr. Drew Curtis**

Can't this be considered prior art? I mean between comic stores, gaming conventions, video game stores, lan parties, etc.

Overusing the term "patent troll." A patent troll is a shell company, with maybe 1 employee, who acquires patents merely to sue people who are doing something remotely similar to what the patent is for.

downstairs: Overusing the term "patent troll." A patent troll is a shell company, with maybe 1 employee, who acquires patents merely to sue people who are doing something remotely similar to what the patent is for.

I see you're using the mechanism for my definition of patent troll, please cease and desist.

downstairs: Overusing the term "patent troll." A patent troll is a shell company, with maybe 1 employee, who acquires patents merely to sue people who are doing something remotely similar to what the patent is for.

Hence why they're putting on their patent troll hat. It's like cosplay, but with more lawyers.

We can patent human interaction now? I'm going to patent sex.

We used to call these "BBS Parties." Show up to Sysop's house, bring some pizza, get one million gold deposited in your L.O.R.D. bank account.

Hawnkee: We used to call these "BBS Parties." Show up to Sysop's house, bring some pizza, get one million gold deposited in your L.O.R.D. bank account.

That's just a sysop paying for friends.

Sounds like it's not a fark party, but rather, a way to say, tie virtual rewards to real life events, organized within game. Somehow. Maybe it's like allowing guilds to generate keys to rewards, and then pass them out to people in real life?

sounds like an easy way to gold farm to me. Take X amount of gold, offer it as a reward, and then just mail that to the gold buyer, who then claims it.

downstairs: Overusing the term "patent troll." A patent troll is a shell company, with maybe 1 employee, who acquires patents merely to sue people who are doing something remotely similar to what the patent is for.

Yeah, seriously...
Patent trolling is a term coined in the mid 1990′s, which more commonly refers to corporations of any size filing usually very expensive lawsuits against other companies over patent infringement.

WTF?

Filing patent for patent filing process, booyaa biatches...

/extreme derpitude, just got dumber thinking this up

TFA: After reading over the application itself and doing a little digging on applicable laws, it looks very much as though Sony is trying to file a patent on the method or process of coordinating in-game promotions with real world events and meet-ups. For a patent to be valid, it has to describe either a machine, or a transformative process.

Bwaaahahahahaha!

Foxxinnia: We can patent human interaction now? I'm going to patent sex.

If it's readily available to most yet you don't have any, your patent attempt will be invalid.

I can't read the patent file myself. Theaeteus, what's your take on it?

Theaetetus: downstairs: Overusing the term "patent troll." A patent troll is a shell company, with maybe 1 employee, who acquires patents merely to sue people who are doing something remotely similar to what the patent is for.

Yeah, seriously...
Patent trolling is a term coined in the mid 1990′s, which more commonly refers to corporations of any size filing usually very expensive lawsuits against other companies over patent infringement.

WTF?

WTF indeed. Larger companies will often use patents as protection, sure. So if a equally-large competitor comes after them, they can find something that competitor is infringing of theirs.

And, indeed, we both agree that there are plenty of good patents used properly out there. No idea why anyone would have an issue with Sony here.

the_sidewinder: I can't read the patent file myself. Theaeteus, what's your take on it?

It'll get rejected under 35 USC 101 (patent eligible subject matter), probably 112 (written description, due to some ambiguous wording), and I bet I could come up with a 102 (anticipated) rejection. I could almost certainly find art for a 103 (obviousness)...

... but that said, this is just an application, and those claims will end up looking very different before it gets allowed.

Right. I'm sure Blizzard's going to stop hosting "Blizzcon" because of these asshats. I hope someone comes along and eats Sony's lunch.

Here is the patent application, and here's claim 1:
1. A method of coordinating real-world gatherings to promote an online community, the method comprising:
encouraging participants of the online community to participate in a real-world gathering by providing incentives for the participants;
promoting familiarity among the participants by providing and introducing online community titles of the participants at the real-world gathering; and
providing online benefits or rewards to the participants for participating in the real-world gathering.

This is just one of many reasons I do not own 1 goddamn thing that SONY has anything to do with. Not one.

I think bars have been doing this for over ten years with various connected machines (trivia, darts, whatever). Could be wrong...

yyrkoon: This is just one of many reasons I do not own 1 goddamn thing that SONY has anything to do with. Not one.

IMO if HD DVD won out over Blu-Ray, we'd see a lot more HD penetration in the pc market and in homes. Penetration.

Theaetetus: Here is the patent application, and here's claim 1:
1. A method of coordinating real-world gatherings to promote an online community, the method comprising:
encouraging participants of the online community to participate in a real-world gathering by providing incentives for the participants;
promoting familiarity among the participants by providing and introducing online community titles of the participants at the real-world gathering; and
providing online benefits or rewards to the participants for participating in the real-world gathering.

And here is two years worth of prior art.

SWGlassPit: Theaetetus: Here is the patent application, and here's claim 1:
1. A method of coordinating real-world gatherings to promote an online community, the method comprising:
encouraging participants of the online community to participate in a real-world gathering by providing incentives for the participants;
promoting familiarity among the participants by providing and introducing online community titles of the participants at the real-world gathering; and
providing online benefits or rewards to the participants for participating in the real-world gathering.

And here is two years worth of prior art.

Not novelty destroying, though. I don't see anything about online benefits or rewards you get from attending a NASA social, nor do I see titles.

No, a better one would be "all attendees of PAX who visit the Blizzard booth get a code for a free pet in WoW and the character title of "Champion of Reality"."

... but I don't remember seeing anything like that. Do you?

Titles would be the twitter names on the badges

ahhh, I know what I am doing this weekend.

Breakin some patents. voiding warranties. validating parking. errrr

what? i drank 4 bottles of redline today. I'm fried

Thanks Theaetetus

Theaetetus: Here is the patent application, and here's claim 1:
1. A method of coordinating real-world gatherings to promote an online community, the method comprising:
encouraging participants of the online community to participate in a real-world gathering by providing incentives for the participants;
promoting familiarity among the participants by providing and introducing online community titles of the participants at the real-world gathering; and
providing online benefits or rewards to the participants for participating in the real-world gathering.

So basically any fan gathering?
Like where I went to one at a pub in London for Triton/Rift and was given a code for an in game pet and cosmetic item.
Triton also has awarded unique in game titles from both forum contests and other in person meets.

Caeldan: Theaetetus: Here is the patent application, and here's claim 1:
1. A method of coordinating real-world gatherings to promote an online community, the method comprising:
encouraging participants of the online community to participate in a real-world gathering by providing incentives for the participants;
promoting familiarity among the participants by providing and introducing online community titles of the participants at the real-world gathering; and
providing online benefits or rewards to the participants for participating in the real-world gathering.

So basically any fan gathering?
Like where I went to one at a pub in London for Triton/Rift and was given a code for an in game pet and cosmetic item.
Triton also has awarded unique in game titles from both forum contests and other in person meets.

Trion not Triton. Dang auto correct.

Caeldan: Theaetetus: Here is the patent application, and here's claim 1:
1. A method of coordinating real-world gatherings to promote an online community, the method comprising:
encouraging participants of the online community to participate in a real-world gathering by providing incentives for the participants;
promoting familiarity among the participants by providing and introducing online community titles of the participants at the real-world gathering; and
providing online benefits or rewards to the participants for participating in the real-world gathering.

So basically any fan gathering?
Like where I went to one at a pub in London for Triton/Rift and was given a code for an in game pet and cosmetic item.
Triton also has awarded unique in game titles from both forum contests and other in person meets.

Yeah, closer.

On further reading, I think "online community titles of the participants" should be interpreted as a handle, rather than a title given to the participant:
In one implementation, coordinating a real-world gathering involves encouraging players of online game(s) to come to the real-world gathering, and promoting familiarity among the players by introducing titles, characters, and/or guild memberships of the players within the common online game(s) at the real-world gathering. For example, a promoter (e.g., a game service provider) can use the data collected within the online game(s) to introduce a player by identifying an online character of the player using communications with a mobile device carried by each player.

So, real world event, nametags with your character name, and a benefit in the game for participating in the gathering.

Mind you, that's just one broad interpretation of the claim. There's more to the application than that, which is why I say any outrage at this stage are pretty premature. The claims will get rejected and amended, likely several times, before they get issued.

Theaetetus: Mind you, that's just one broad interpretation of the claim. There's more to the application than that, which is why I say any outrage at this stage are pretty premature. The claims will get rejected and amended, likely several times, before they get issued.

I have a patent on outrage. Cash only, please.

Theaetetus: the_sidewinder: I can't read the patent file myself. Theaeteus, what's your take on it?

It'll get rejected under 35 USC 101 (patent eligible subject matter), probably 112 (written description, due to some ambiguous wording), and I bet I could come up with a 102 (anticipated) rejection. I could almost certainly find art for a 103 (obviousness)...

... but that said, this is just an application, and those claims will end up looking very different before it gets allowed.

I'd say it could probably avoid a 101 rejection - although method patents of this type (i.e. those with no technology "hook") are being squeezed out by congress and the courts, they haven't been completely removed*, and the claims could be argued to be more than just abstractions. I agree that they should get slammed with at least a 103 rejection, if not a 102. Maybe 112 too, depending on the examiner's attitude toward enablement.

Plus, I have a feeling (as you pointed out) that the claims will eventually be amended to include some technology usage (like the parts of the spec where they talk about GPS and cellphone based activities) which would mean that they would be claiming a method of organizing a RL meeting, not the method, making it easier for competitors to avoid infringing the claims. IF they get any claims allowed at all, that is.

* We will see what happens after September when the AIA starts (maybe) changing things for business method patents.

Holfax: Theaetetus: the_sidewinder: I can't read the patent file myself. Theaeteus, what's your take on it?

It'll get rejected under 35 USC 101 (patent eligible subject matter), probably 112 (written description, due to some ambiguous wording), and I bet I could come up with a 102 (anticipated) rejection. I could almost certainly find art for a 103 (obviousness)...

... but that said, this is just an application, and those claims will end up looking very different before it gets allowed.

I'd say it could probably avoid a 101 rejection - although method patents of this type (i.e. those with no technology "hook") are being squeezed out by congress and the courts, they haven't been completely removed*, and the claims could be argued to be more than just abstractions. I agree that they should get slammed with at least a 103 rejection, if not a 102.

Nah, definitely a 101... Based on my experience since Bilski, the Examiners are apparently under guidance to specifically look for the words "processor" or "storage device" in a claim and will reject it merely if those don't appear. Your art groups may vary. ;)

Maybe 112 too, depending on the examiner's attitude toward enablement.

Oh, I don't know about that... Enablement, I think they have. The spec is actually pretty decent. The 112 issue, I think, would be the word "familiarity".

Plus, I have a feeling (as you pointed out) that the claims will eventually be amended to include some technology usage (like the parts of the spec where they talk about GPS and cellphone based activities) which would mean that they would be claiming a method of organizing a RL meeting, not the method, making it easier for competitors to avoid infringing the claims. IF they get any claims allowed at all, that is.

Oh, I think there's patentable stuff in them thar spec. At least, I know where I'd start pushing on it.

I_Am_Weasel: downstairs: Overusing the term "patent troll." A patent troll is a shell company, with maybe 1 employee, who acquires patents merely to sue people who are doing something remotely similar to what the patent is for.

I see you're using the mechanism for my definition of patent troll, please cease and desist.

It might work better if you present this to them on your law office's letterhead.

Foxxinnia: We can patent human interaction now? I'm going to patent sex.

You wouldn't be too far off, seeing as people can patent sections of DNA.

buckler: Foxxinnia: We can patent human interaction now? I'm going to patent sex.

You wouldn't be too far off, seeing as people can patent sections of DNA.

Patent a method of naturally combining DNA from two separate parties?
Where there is a coordination of activities between the two parties to interact in such a way that also provides a reward to at least one participant?

I know there's a lot of dim bulbs at the patent office, but surely this one gets turned down for prior art, yes?

And Nintendo recently got a patent for emulators. The patent office is in need of serious reform.

Please tell me why I'm wrong... BUT,

There was a recent change to the patent system where it's not first-to-market anymore. It's first to file. So it sounded to me like prior art went right out the window...

I just filed a patent for posting links announcing a meet up of a sites users. No if only there was a site that I can troll with it?

irving47: Please tell me why I'm wrong... BUT,

There was a recent change to the patent system where it's not first-to-market anymore. It's first to file. So it sounded to me like prior art went right out the window...

Prior art, put simply, means that someone else has invented it before, so the invention is not 'state of the art'.

You can only patent a new invention. If you file for a patent in something that people are already doing, the Patent Office can find a document to prove it. (For example, an ad for a gaming convention that's handing out free swag, in this case). Then, that prior art document is used to reject the patent application. No patent for you.

It's actually a lot more complicated than that, depending on how much money you want to spend in the application process, but there you go.

*
The new first to file means that if two people invent the same thing at about the same time, the first to the patent office gets the patent. Previously, the two sides would fight over who had really invented it first by comparing dated lab notes, etc., but the patent office is tired of dealing with that. Congress agreed, and the regulation was changed.

dahmers love zombie: Theaetetus: Mind you, that's just one broad interpretation of the claim. There's more to the application than that, which is why I say any outrage at this stage are pretty premature. The claims will get rejected and amended, likely several times, before they get issued.

I have a patent on outrage. Cash only, please.

So if I buy a license to use your outrage, am I buying the outrage to use anywhere at any time, or just the revokable right to use it in certain specific circumstances?

Tyrone Slothrop: And Nintendo recently got a patent for emulators. The patent office is in need of serious reform.

Nothing will ever be reformed again. We're stuck with this Goldbergian nightmare forever.

Yea I don't see the first claim holding up under 103. Custom in game title rewards are known, rewards from conventions are known (blizzcon gives pets every year) which allow people to tell who went to the rl event. The title would be obvious as another type of in game reward.

Just go to mmo-champ and archive.org to the first con rewards list (depending on the filing date)

lewismarktwo: We're stuck with this Goldbergian nightmare forever.


Nightmare? The man likes cats. I'm not sure how "nightmarish" he is.

Foxxinnia: We can patent human interaction now? I'm going to patent sex.

I'll help you.

I'm patenting "The oral manipulation of the genitals for enjoyment and/or economic gain." and "The vigorous application of one's hand to one's own genitals whilst in the presence of erotic materials,"

IrateShadow: Hawnkee: We used to call these "BBS Parties." Show up to Sysop's house, bring some pizza, get one million gold deposited in your L.O.R.D. bank account.

That's just a sysop paying for friends.

That was actually the act of putting up a BBs. The rest was maintaining the motivation to keep it going. Oh, and actually register some of the doors.

Perhaps Sony should worry more about the quality of its products and how it treats customers than patents.

I believe this represents prior art.

101 people playing Quake 2 in person. We did it. It was awesome.

fark you.

Call me.

OK Farkers, I have a question, hope someone can help me out.

I worked for a company and created documentation for error codes on their machines.
Like 46 pages worth of documentation. Said company went under.
I was hired by a "dealer" of said machines, who copied MY documentation for their use.
I left that company. I was never under any sort of NDA by either company.

Is it my right to publish and sell my knowledge? I just did on a whim because I frequent
a forum website about said machines and they said "yeah, I'll pay you $150 for that no problem".

Can I actually copyright it because I am the author? And where I worked doing it is non-existant?

I realize I may be stepping on some people's feet who service these machines, but HEY they have
copies of MY STUFF and are making money because they have MY documantion.

/need money
//they are using MY STUFF already
///NO NDA was ever signed anywhere
////slashies, help me make money!!