Microsoft 'Fesses Up, Passed Off Public Art Project As Its Now-Patented 'Virtual Skywriting' Invention

from the is-that-copyright-infringement dept

theodp writes

"Even more curious than the USPTO's decision to award a patent (7,966,024) this week to Microsoft on something it calls 'virtual skywriting,' was the software giant's decision to provide the USPTO with a well-known, unattributed photo of real skywriting in its patent application as a purported example of its virtual skywriting system 'in use.' In response to an inquiry from GeekWire, Microsoft had this to say: 'The use of the skywriting image in the patent was an error and Microsoft will immediately submit the patent for re-issue proceedings to correct the drawings. Microsoft regrets any confusion caused by this error.'"

You can see a comparison image from GeekWire below: Of course, now I'm wondering if this patent infringes on someone's copyright, which would make for a really interesting legal discussion.

Filed Under: copyright, patents, skywriting, virtual skywriting
Companies: microsoft

Back In The Days When Skywriting Was Patented

from the glad-those-days-are-gone dept

Eric Goldman alerts us to the news that, back in the day, skywriting was patented (see patent below) and that there were advertisements warning people not to infringe. This particular ad was published in 1924 in Aviation Magazine. If you can't read the warning, it states:

Warning: The process of forming Morse or written signals in the air by means of smoke or other visible trails emitted from an aircraft and the apparatus used in connection therewith are covered by Patents issued and pending in America and abroad. Vigorous action will be taken against infringers.

It seems some things just never change.

Filed Under: patents, skywriting