Canadian firm sues the tech world - bit-tech.net Forums

Da Dego · 2nd Nov 2007, 13:59

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/11...e_tech_world/1

A Canadian-based IP firm called Wi-LAN has sued 22 companies, including manufacturers and retailers, for patent infringement.

liratheal · 2nd Nov 2007, 14:05

That is a shade over the top.

Looking at the companies listed, it all smacks a bit like "We're suing the people with the most money", to me anyway :/

Hells_Bliss · 2nd Nov 2007, 14:07

this company represents all that is wrong with the patent process. Their only function is to patent a process, not actually invent something, and then sue the **** out of people. Talk about money grubbing b*st*rds

[USRF]Obiwan · 2nd Nov 2007, 15:23

Sick patentsystem, Sick Health insurance system, Sick Housefunding system, Sick game rating system, Sick gunlaw system. And still their are people who say: "pride to be american"

I rest my case.

chrisb2e9 · 2nd Nov 2007, 15:25

*sigh* could we remove the word "Canadian" from the title please? I dont want people to associate this great country with a company like this one.

Veles · 2nd Nov 2007, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by [USRF]Obiwan

Sick patentsystem, Sick Health insurance system, Sick Housefunding system, Sick game rating system, Sick gunlaw system. And still their are people who say: "pride to be american"

I rest my case.

I think you missed the bit where it said this was a Canadian company.

samkiller42 · 2nd Nov 2007, 15:41

We could wait a week or two, and another new's story pop's up titled 'Canadian firm bought out by 22 companies' heh.
Personally, this looks like a publicity stunt, in one way or another, well, it did work, to some extent.

Sam

Firehed · 2nd Nov 2007, 15:47

I hate patent trolls.

Hells_Bliss · 2nd Nov 2007, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by [USRF]Obiwan

Sick patentsystem, Sick Health insurance system, Sick Housefunding system, Sick game rating system, Sick gunlaw system. And still their are people who say: "pride to be american"

I rest my case.

Cupboard · 2nd Nov 2007, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by liratheal

Looking at the companies listed, it all smacks a bit like "We're suing the people with the most money", to me anyway :/

It would make little business sense to sue those with no money

But I agree, it is a bit ridiculous.

Breach · 2nd Nov 2007, 16:16

Yeah, I smell patent troll all over that company. Hopefully the 22 they sued will bury them. IBM vs SCO anyone

koola · 2nd Nov 2007, 16:25

Open Source ***

I hope these 22 companies gang up and clean that company out.

Kipman725 · 2nd Nov 2007, 16:57

first and third one especialy shouldn't have beeen granted by the patent office the second one I have no idea what the hell it's on about but I don't rearly care. Despite what the law says patents mostly stiffle progress and companies like this are leaches of socity.

Anakha · 2nd Nov 2007, 17:13

I think all three of these patents can be smacked down with "Prior Art" fairly easily. 1997/1998? Wasn't GSM around then? And I know that SkyTV was using DSS to scramble their satellite TV signals back then, too.

Almightyrastus · 2nd Nov 2007, 17:42

This is one of the problems with the US patent system, the patent granted is retroactive from when the product was invented rather than starting from the time the patent was filed like here in the UK. This means that you can take a look at what someone is doing then file a patent later on the technology they are using then sure them for breaching it even if they have been using it for years.

Bungle · 2nd Nov 2007, 17:54

Wouldn't surprise me to find Gordon Gecko running the show at WI-LAN. Fine example of Corporate greed for all to see.

C-Sniper · 2nd Nov 2007, 19:52

I think that the patent law should be that unless you USE your patents in designs or implement them into what you are doing (hoarding patents excluded) then the idea should be fair game.

IanW · 3rd Nov 2007, 05:47

The defendants may be able to call "Laches" on Wi-LAN.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Laches is an equitable defense, or doctrine, in an action at law. The person invoking laches is asserting that an opposing party has "slept on its rights", and that, as a result of this delay, that other party is no longer entitled to its original claim.

Javerh · 3rd Nov 2007, 08:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hells_Bliss

That looks more like a dead llama

completemadness · 3rd Nov 2007, 18:14

I don't understand how you can wait, like years, to file the complaints

when the product is released, sure i could understand there being a few months to complain, but waiting until everyone is using it to sue them is lame

2nd Nov 2007, 13:59	#1
Da Dego Brett Thomas Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cleveland, OH USA Posts: 3,906	Canadian firm sues the tech world http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2007/11...e_tech_world/1 A Canadian-based IP firm called Wi-LAN has sued 22 companies, including manufacturers and retailers, for patent infringement. __________________ "Frankly that seems overkill. iluvtrees2 arguing with spec is the intellectual equivalent of a bunny rabbit taking on a pissed-off lion." - Nexxo

2nd Nov 2007, 14:05	#2
liratheal Just got a great book on tape Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: High Wycombe, UK Posts: 3,640	That is a shade over the top. Looking at the companies listed, it all smacks a bit like "We're suing the people with the most money", to me anyway :/ __________________ Gigabyte MA790FX, X4 9950 Black Edition, 8gb Geil Black Dragon, 2x4870 512mb, Antec TruePower Quattro 850w I game, Do you?

2nd Nov 2007, 14:07	#3
Hells_Bliss Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NC, USA Posts: 548	this company represents all that is wrong with the patent process. Their only function is to patent a process, not actually invent something, and then sue the **** out of people. Talk about money grubbing bstrds __________________ Asus P5N32-SLi Extreme, Intel Conroe E6600 @ 2.4GHz, 4GB Corsair XMS2 @ 1060MHz, eVGA GeForce 8800 GTX @ 621MHz, 2 WD 250GB 7200RPM HDD's, Creative Soundblaster Fatal1ty pro

2nd Nov 2007, 15:23	#4
[USRF]Obiwan Ultramodder Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Netherlands Posts: 1,220	Sick patentsystem, Sick Health insurance system, Sick Housefunding system, Sick game rating system, Sick gunlaw system. And still their are people who say: "pride to be american" I rest my case. __________________ Mascleta: "The most accurate simulation of thunder, humans can simulate..." The answer is 42, so... whats the question again? If you know what 'Peek' and 'Poke' represents, then you are probably as old as me.

2nd Nov 2007, 15:25	#5
chrisb2e9 Dont do that... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,070	sigh could we remove the word "Canadian" from the title please? I dont want people to associate this great country with a company like this one. __________________ attack life, it's going to kill you anyway. Long-term relationships are like urban tomatoes: they only grow under special conditions. - Prestidigitweeze Don't hold on to the reigns once you've fallen off the horse, your just going to get dragged to death - SNiiPE_DoGG

2nd Nov 2007, 15:41	#7
samkiller42 KEEP IT CLEAN! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Havant, Hampshire, England Posts: 3,191	We could wait a week or two, and another new's story pop's up titled 'Canadian firm bought out by 22 companies' heh. Personally, this looks like a publicity stunt, in one way or another, well, it did work, to some extent. Sam __________________ The Rig: i7 920 D0, Gigabyte EX58-UD5, 12GB DDR3 1600mhz, BFG GTX295, Samsung 64gb SSD, WD 640gb Black, Samsung F2 Eco 1TB, Dell 3007WFP, Windows 7 RC. The Netbook: Samsung NC10 Black, Intel Atom, 2gb DDR2 The Mac: Awaiting Delivery

2nd Nov 2007, 15:47	#8
Firehed Why not? I own a domain to match. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An hour north of Boston Posts: 12,576	I hate patent trolls. __________________ hire me @ eric-stern.com - web developer and php ninja pics @ my smugmug :: Twitter @firehed :: blog @ firehed.net 40D\|580EXII\|285HV\|AB800\|70-200f/4LIS\|17-50f/2.8\|150f/2.8Macro\|50f/1.8 MacPro @ 8x2.8GHz, 10GB FBDDR2, 3TB HD :: MBP @ 2x2.2GHz, 4GB DDR2, 320GB HD

2nd Nov 2007, 16:16	#11
Breach Supermodder Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: WA Posts: 354	Yeah, I smell patent troll all over that company. Hopefully the 22 they sued will bury them. IBM vs SCO anyone __________________ Project :: SSC (Super Sport Computer)

2nd Nov 2007, 16:25	#12
koola Eat my... Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,210	Open Source *** I hope these 22 companies gang up and clean that company out. __________________ PSN: koola-uk

2nd Nov 2007, 16:57	#13
Kipman725 When did I get a custom title!?! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: UK Posts: 1,753	first and third one especialy shouldn't have beeen granted by the patent office the second one I have no idea what the hell it's on about but I don't rearly care. Despite what the law says patents mostly stiffle progress and companies like this are leaches of socity. __________________ Sn45g game server mod My Electronics Site Hardware: 3400+ Sempr0n, 1GB RAM, 1.28TB local storage, x1950pro,Razer Viper,M$ comfort curve 2000,L70S + 17", Fujitsu 17" CRT Audio: HD-650's, PE congress amp, Sound Blaster AWE64, Soundblaster 24bit

2nd Nov 2007, 17:13	#14
Anakha Supermodder Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Regina, SK, Canada Eh! Posts: 396	I think all three of these patents can be smacked down with "Prior Art" fairly easily. 1997/1998? Wasn't GSM around then? And I know that SkyTV was using DSS to scramble their satellite TV signals back then, too. __________________ Robert "Anakha" Johnston Going to Canada on Nov 28th! I'm going home!

2nd Nov 2007, 17:42	#15
Almightyrastus Heathen Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nottingham, England Posts: 442	This is one of the problems with the US patent system, the patent granted is retroactive from when the product was invented rather than starting from the time the patent was filed like here in the UK. This means that you can take a look at what someone is doing then file a patent later on the technology they are using then sure them for breaching it even if they have been using it for years. __________________ Lo there do I see my Father. Lo there do I see my Mother, and my Sisters and my Brothers. Lo there do I see the line of my people, back to the beginning. Lo they do call to me. They bid me take my place among them, in the halls of Valhalla where the brave may live forever.

2nd Nov 2007, 17:54	#16
Bungle Rainbow Warrior Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 999	Wouldn't surprise me to find Gordon Gecko running the show at WI-LAN. Fine example of Corporate greed for all to see. __________________ The difference between fiction and reality? Fiction has to make sense. " Tom Clancy

3rd Nov 2007, 18:14	#20
completemadness Hypermodder Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 887	I don't understand how you can wait, like years, to file the complaints when the product is released, sure i could understand there being a few months to complain, but waiting until everyone is using it to sue them is lame