Microsoft Seeks Patent On Checking The Status Of An Order Via IM

from the is-this-really-so-new? dept

theodp writes "According to USPTO documents released Thursday, customers wishing to check on the status of an order placed with a seller may run afoul of a pending Microsoft patent for Business inquiries and operations using messaging service. In March, Microsoft called on the USPTO to just-say-no to patents for "obvious" well-known business practices."
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  • identicon
    Anonymous Hero, 20 May 2005 @ 1:37pm

    Well, obviously...

    In March, Microsoft called on the USPTO to just-say-no to patents for "obvious" well-known business practices."
    For everyone except Microsoft, that is.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Chomper, 23 May 2005 @ 1:06pm

      Re: Well, obviously...

      Geez, I wouldn't be surprised if this is used to extract license fees for IM tech support.

      link to this | view in chronology ]


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