The Creative Labs lawsuit and the patent on which it depends is a perfect example how totally farked up the US patent system has become. I mean really, do they even read these applications before they grant the patents? If there is anywhere that prior art applies, this has got to be it. Makes me mad just thinking about it.
But thanks to Chris Breen at Playlist, I at least got a little chuckle out of the sad situation.
I had returned here to berate you for unfulfilling my expectations, only to find that you had actually satisfied me once again. I am ashamed.
But on a less personal note, I agree that Creative is silly. This patent is really a way of thinking, not some sort of innovation. We’ve been using this sort of thinking forever, even in tech.
Side note: thoughts on Macbook?
Rick – I think the MacBook looks great. If my current PowerBook wasn’t still under a year old, I’d probably get one.
US patent laws are truly screwed up. I read somewhere that some lawyers are actually trying to patent story lines. Ridiculous. So goes for software patents.