PATENT PROBLEMS

The Register reports that Dell is being sued for patent infringement. DE Technologies of Union, Virginia is claiming that Dell has infringed its patent, granted in 1997, for a "universal shopping center for international operation". The patent describes a system that allows buyers to order goods online, and have their international delivery charges calculated there and then. If they accept the total amount, they can authorise a credit card payment. Dell has not commented yet, but it is thought that they may find it cheaper to pay a licence fee than to fight the case. DE’s CEO has said that Dell is being used as an example of what will happen to others who infringe their patents.

The IPKat isn’t entirely happy about the prospect of small companies that have no prospect of exploiting their patents for what are essentially ideas coming along and attempting to stop those ideas being used once they’ve been successfully put into practice. He thinks that this could have a regressive effect on the industry.

Shopping malls of note here, here and here
PATENT PROBLEMS PATENT PROBLEMS Reviewed by Anonymous on Sunday, November 07, 2004 Rating: 5

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