Patent Misuse

Reading Time: < 1 minute
A recent blog post is bringing people's attention to a group who want to sue Facebook for patent infringement. The problem with this patent is that it is so broad in it's language that it would include almost all social networking websites.

An Information and Application Distribution System (IADS) is disclosed. The IADS operates, in one embodiment, to distribute, initiate and allow interaction and communication within like-minded communities. Application distribution occurs through the transmission and receipt of an "invitation application" which contains both a message component and an executable component to enable multiple users to connect within a specific community. The application object includes functionality which allows the user's local computer to automatically set up a user interface to connect with a central controller which facilitates interaction and introduction between and among users.

From what I understand as a non patent lawyer is that this patent is so broad in scope that it could include all social networking websites.