Facebook patents user news feed
Zuckerberg owns Web 2.0 stalking
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Facebook has been awarded a patent on displaying news feeds of users' activities, creating an interwebs stir that basic social network functionality could soon fall prey to Facebook IP rights.
The US patent - awarded February 23 - pertains to "dynamically providing a news feed about a user of a social network". For example: "Susie has added a photo to her gallery" or "Johnny joined the Dolphin Sea Mammal Lovers Anonymous Group".
If that sounds familiar (the patent, not the group), it's only because user action updates are brass tacks to most social network sites.
Facebook applied for the patent on August 11 2006, with Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg topping the list of its inventors.
No doubt social websites like MySpace, Flickr, and LinkedIn are whipping their legal dogs into sniffing a way around the patent. Given the basic nature of the claim, it wouldn't be surprising to see some prior art surface.
Facebook isn't saying whether it has any plans to enforce the patent. In a statement, the company said its launch of a news feed in 2006 was a "pivotal moment in Facebook's history and changed the way millions of people consumed and discovered information on the site".
"We're humbled by the growth and adoption of News Feed over time and pleased with being awarded the patent," the statement said. ®
COMMENTS
I can't wait
Hi there Sally, Thanks for logging in.
Bill (who you slept with last night) is screwed Susan (right click to unfriend Susan).
Your roommate Jenny is searching though your bathroom cabinet.
Philip, who spent the night with you last week, is visiting the local STD clinic.
Derek (a friend of Bill) is posting pictures that Bill took on 4chan.
Patricia is writing about Derek's stalking habits on blogger.
John is linking Patricia's blog on Fark.
Your husband is posting his picture on Adult Friendfinders.
Zuckerberg was also first to patent:
> Having a face like a sack full of Turnips
> The photon, specifically designed to deliver social media to human eyeballs
> Dressing like a $2 Steve Jobs figurine
> Being incredibly wealthy for doing absolutely nothing
> Actively and enthusiastically debasing all notions of privacy
> Having the Michelin man's face on Skeletor's body
"pivotal moment in Facebook's history and changed the way millions of people consumed and discovered information on the site."
should read:
"Pivotal moment in my history that changed the way I like to stroke my dick and balls"
software patents
... show their worth yet again by blindly handing IP rights to anyone who asks for them.
I am a developer (case anyone was wondering) but i would point anyone in favour of software patents to china to see just how valuable your software patent is there!
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