Rossj wrote:

Ars wrote:

The language of the patent is interminably vague and could apply to any one of a dozen different user interface elements that are found in all modern operating systems, but seems to be most closely related to the idea of "tabbed" dialog boxes, like the ones seen in both Windows and Mac OS X.
Chances of IPI suing Microsoft? I'd put money on 'not going to happen'.
Agreed. I also think the patent system should be overhauled or just plain dumped...it's being abused to no end.

Heh...maybe this will go down as yet another set of (Happy) Halloween Documents. Don't forget, there's also this entity still lurking out there, headed up by an ex-softie, Nathan Myrhvold. And they have LOTS of money to blow.
Wikipedia wrote:
Intellectual Ventures is a private company founded in 2000 to invest in "pure invention." Its goal is to develop a large patent portfolio rather than to actually develop new systems.
Note, they don't develop any tangible products either. Whatever the case, true innovators, as usual, pay the ultimate price.