Comments on: Did Google Just Patent Gears? Why?

By: Brent Noorda

Brent Noorda — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 06:09:00 +0000

These techniques are nearly as old as browsers (maybe older). I remember selling gearsy solutions at least 10 years ago, beginning the patent process, realizing that there was already too much similar prior art (10 years ago). It took longer to find the prior art back then, since Google didn’t exist yet and AltaVista didn’t have a very complete patent search tool.

Our patent attorney said if we had enough money maybe we could get it through. We didn’t. Maybe Google does (if they can rush it through quickly before the stock sinks any lower :-)

By: dinnerbell

dinnerbell — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:03:47 +0000

please see http://www.piausa.org/ for a different/opposing view on patent reform

By: Roshan Shrestha

Roshan Shrestha — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:27:44 +0000

No need to do the detective work, the patent is by Google: click here

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:10:41 +0000

It might be worth noting that the patent filing date – May 30, 2007 – is the same day that they announced Gears

Think you answered your own question there!

By: Hierophant

Hierophant — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:41:34 +0000

For example, should Microsoft follow their pattern of Embrace, Extend, and Extinguish (Wikipedia it) by implementing Gears functionality and adding Microsoft-only features, they could sue.

Since Gears is nothing but a competitor to both Silverlight and Air, not sure this would happen.

By: MarkMushakian

MarkMushakian — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:23:17 +0000

I’m always willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt – even when that someone is multiplied tenfold and called a corporation. However, as with any business operation, I am always wary of the “step too far” where-in a company begins moving towards corporate greed or having a monopoly.

It would be sad to discover down the line that their plans are “sinister” – so until then I hope for the best :)

By: Alan Hogan

Alan Hogan — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:39:05 +0000

Another possible reason is to enforce other implementations to match Google’s official spec: Grant licences to use patented Gear functionality *iff* it is compatible with Google’s official Gears implementation. For example, should Microsoft follow their pattern of Embrace, Extend, and Extinguish (Wikipedia it) by implementing Gears functionality and adding Microsoft-only features, they could sue.

That said, a patent war with Microsoft would be ugly for poth parties.

By: drp106

drp106 — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:11:01 +0000

I suspect something “evil.” Why would they choose to be “evil?” I wondered that myself when their security guard kicked us off the campus when we drove up to take pictures. I just wanted a one pic and then I would be gone but no…. the idiot didn’t even speak English and was not even nice…. lame.

By: Joel

Joel — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:50:36 +0000

Given the world we live in I’d say it’s highly likely that it’s being undertaken as a defensive patent.

By: busy

busy — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:13:17 +0000

I think a little research would have turned up Google’s history (or lack of history, I don’t know) of suing people over patents. That would probably answer your question.