There has been much buzz about Zynga’s attempt to patent virtual currency. As is often the case with patents, there is much hype, many misconceptions and little focus on the actual facts. Here are the facts. 1. Zynga does not have a patent on virtual currency. It has applied for…
A patent infringement suit targeting a multiplayer, networking feature of Microsoft’s Xbox video game console was dismissed because the court found that, based on how the patent claims were written, the Xbox’s network connectivity mechanism differed from that required in the patent. This case, like many patent infringement cases, turned…
Th US Supreme Court issued a ruling today that overruled a relatively narrow test adopted by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, known as the machine-or-transformation test. The Supreme Court found: i) The machine-or-transformation test is not the sole test for patent eligibility under §101. The Court’s precedents…
On June 15, 2010, Amazon was awarded U.S. Patent No. 7,739,139 entitled “Social Networking System.” Some have said this relates to fundamental aspects of “friending” and data sharing in social networks. If the patent is truly as broad as some say, what impact might this have on Facebook and other…
In a recently filed complaint (Actus Complaint.pdf), a patent holding company has sued over a dozen major companies for alleged patent infringement. The suit alleges infringement of 4 patents that relate to virtual currency or “electronic tokens”. The patents include United States Patent No. 7,328,189; 7,249,099; 7,177,838; and 7,177,838. The…
Worlds.com has reportedly settled its patent infringement lawsuit with NCsoft. The terms remain confidential and as of this morning neither company has a press release on its website. Worlds.com filed the suit on Christmas eve in 2008 after rattling its patent saber months earlier. To some, it is surprising the…
In a growing trend, another patent infringement lawsuit was recently filed against nearly two dozen companies involved in virtual worlds, video games, social networks and other websites. The plaintiff, Balthaser Online, appears to provide a web application that enables users to create Adobe Flash animations and interfaces for inclusion in…