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Software Patents Shut Down RunwayFinder

blog.runwayfinder.com

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Re: Software Patents Shut Down RunwayFinder

#41

Post by jellicle »

Zak wrote: post #6
madars wrote: post #2

The patent in question is http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7640098.html (source: http://news.priorsmart.com/stenbock-everson-v-runwayfinder-l... )

To summarize: it's a patent on the idea of overlaying a flight plan on a map using a website. The general case of this is drawing line-segments on a background, something every trivial paint program can do. This patent clearly fails the obviousness test.

I haven't read the patent in question for this case.

However, what is USUALLY the case with patents is that they are far narrower than what is claimed by the company or in the press. "Company patents pencils!" says the news article. When you read the patent you find that they've patented a very, very, very narrow use of pencils and that few, if any of the world's pencil uses are encompassed by the patent.

Re: Software Patents Shut Down RunwayFinder

#43

Post by clavalle »

So there are patent defense companies like Allied Security Trust, RPX and the Open Invention Network but it seems like these are for major players and/or have very limited scopes.

Is there anything similar out there for smaller businesses, particularly for those in the software industry?

Wouldn't it be nice to have an Open Invention Network type entity that can build up an arsenal to defend against these types of existential threats?

I could see paying a monthly 'licensing and services' premium that would go toward maintaining a patent portfolio, retaining defensive legal services and maintaining a database of prior art and other useful information that can be brought to bear in these kinds of situations.

I know there is regular patent insurance (I have never used it) but it seems more offensive rather than defensive in nature and is expensive.

Re: Software Patents Shut Down RunwayFinder

#46

Post by cromulent »

cduan wrote: post #40
Vivtek wrote: post #11

Oh, good Lord, when the patent was filed, RunwayFinder was already online . Talk about prior art! This kind of abuse just boils my blood, especially when it involves this kind of penny-ante bullshit, the whole rent-seeking mentality of identifying a niche market that could really benefit from more open information and then trying to dominate it for chump change.

This line in the patent: This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/919,672, filed Jul. 31, 2001. means that it was effectively filed on that date, so you would need prior art predating 2001. (Though it might be more complicated than that, it depends on a couple of things.)

Also, FlightPrep refer to a 2004 review of online flight planners from the Aviation Consumer magazine. So, I would guess they date their invention before that.

http://www.flightprep.com/rootpage.php?page=aviationconsumer

Re: Software Patents Shut Down RunwayFinder

#47

Post by jcromartie »

shrikant wrote: post #18

RunwayFinder says: They won’t talk to me. Instead I’m stuck dealing with their lawyers who twice said that if RunwayFinder pays a license fee (would you like 10% or 20% of zero?) or removes the website that they will drop the lawsuit. Unfortunately, they are now reneging on that and posturing for more. They are claiming damages of $3.2M per month. FlightPrep responds: http://blog.flightprep.com/2010/12/regarding-runw…

> a temporary free-pass at our technology

This makes me so angry... I just don't know how that thought can be honestly held in a sane mind.

Re: Software Patents Shut Down RunwayFinder

#48

Post by [deleted] »

jeffmould wrote: post #36

From the patent, in the "Background of Invention" section: However, as will become obvious later, additional applications of this invention may also include the field of cartography, route planning for motor vehicles, marine vehicles and similar utilization. So does this mean they could potentially go after MapQuest or Google Maps for providing route planning for motor vehicles as well?

[deleted]

Re: Software Patents Shut Down RunwayFinder

#49

Post by kj12345 »

When a patent establishes a claim, and then says something like "Claim 19: The process of claim 18 further comprising overlaying a route line", does that mean the patent is narrowed to only things that include route lines, or does it still apply to systems with/without route lines? If it's not narrowed by the additional claims, what purpose do the additional claims serve?
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