Creative Gets Patent on Filing things in Categories?

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Jason Weisberger <jweisberger () mac com>
Date: August 31, 2005 12:29:59 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Creative Gets Patent on Filing things in Categories?



It is my honest belief that the idea of filing things into categories  
can be tracked as far back as ancient Sumeria.  I certainly recall  
reading about inventories and other lists cataloging possessions and  
trade goods in many, many ancient cultures.

How can it be that the US Patent office feels that a digital indexing  
system for music is substantially different from any other indexing  
system, be it for bronze widgitum (the precursor of todays widget) or  
the evil MP3s that are tearing our culture apart by allowing us to  
download music?

I'm confused as to what is so unique here as to merit a patent? The  
look of the interface seems silly to patent, they did what they could  
with a cheap LCD screen, this is why they look similar - is using  
cheap LCD screens some how intellectual property?

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/12521575.htm

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