Microsoft Seeks Patent on RSS Platform

Don McArthur passes along some huge news in the syndication world -- Microsoft filed for a patent today on the Windows RSS Platform, a common feed database and API that can be used by other applications to read, write and store RSS and Atom feeds:

The web content syndication platform ... can be utilized to manage, organize and make available for consumption content that is acquired from the Internet. The platform can acquire and organize web content, and make such content available for consumption by many different types of applications. These applications may or may not necessarily understand the particular syndication format. An application program interface (API) exposes an object model which allows applications and users to easily accomplish many different tasks such as creating, reading, updating, deleting feeds and the like. In addition, the platform can abstract away a particular feed format to provide a common format which promotes the useability of feed data that comes into the platform. Further, the platform processes and manages enclosures that might be received via a web feed in a manner that can make the enclosures available for consumption to both syndication-aware applications and applications that are not syndication-aware.

Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or steps described. Rather, the specific features and steps are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention.

My initial take is that this doesn't sound like a patentable invention, considering other software that exposes feeds, and the patent system has a chilling effect on software innovation.

One of the strengths of syndication is that you don't need an API to share feed data. Mark Pilgrim's Universal Feed Parser and the Planet Planet community aggregator both offer a lot of the functionality described in Microsoft's patent application.

Rss · Microsoft · Atom · 2006/12/21 · 5 COMMENTS · Link

Comments

I have to disagree about UFP and PP. I don't see how they covered any of the functionality described. Right now, I'm having DNS issues (or I should say, my ISP is having DNS issues), so I can't read the patent, although I've already skimmed it. When my DNS problems resolve, I'll comment further on The RSS Blog.

#1 · Randy Charles Morin · 2006/12/21

The Universal Feed Parser makes it possible to consume feeds regardless of format. Planet Planet is a feed aggregator that produces its own feeds. That's all you need for a syndication platform. Microsoft's placement of an API and object model atop that platform might be an innovation, but the patent seems to cover the entire shebang.

These days, it seems like companies do a lot better creating open APIs that can be adopted by others, not offering patented APIs that push others out of the same space.

#2 · Rogers Cadenhead · 2006/12/22

Patents are out of control.

Big co's give incentives to their employees to register their work as more than it really is... The business logic is akin to having insurance against nuisance suits from small patent farmers.

There's always a lot of kerfuffle over the registration of one of these "prior art" atrocities but they are rarely used to stiffle real innovation since they are ultimately very difficult to enforce...

The biggest patent atrocities for me are RSA's patenting of some fundamental encryption math and the legal attack against the Blackberry.

The Microsoft RSS team will need to keep a pretty low profile in the commons until this dies down.

Ultimately, patents have been "gamed". They are a business tactic that can be used strategically and as a legal mechanism they have lost their way.

#3 · McD · 2006/12/22

Are there no people in the US who review the current practice in the patent system against the original reasons for introducing patenting. In the first and only place patenting is there to protect investings in research and development of innovations! Why is this basic rule no longer taken into account in daily routines at the patent office?

Can anyone wake some people up to look into this matter? Why is this still the case? Please tell me we don't end up in an unhospitable world of patent terror by big and mighty companies. I hope there are people of reason to perceive the current practice has - to - change! Are there any congress members willing to take their responsibility for a justified and future proof reorganisation of the system?!

#4 · Frank Heijkamp · 2006/12/22

I have my opioion on this subject its the terror that the money hungey businesses and there false givings on the matter of true help you read this crap in the newspapers. But it is not true Microsoft trys to rule the business and will go to all extremes in there quest of domainace. To many times I have copy there adventures across my unit looking and grabing what they can ,but when you sign off on their privacy policy gives them the right to rape you and trust me they will. There service is poor their ethics are shameful and I do not fear them.Mr.Gates I'M looking for the day you fall flat on your face and I know that day I'll never see but it gives me pleasurer to watch Sony smack that additute right off your face. History tells us all about your business ethics and the price you paid to be man of the year....what a joke and as for your journalist you have in your back pocket don't you ever tell me what I got to do.Your courrption shows your style and your business programs only gives you the right to rape others.I will say if you did not take it you purchace it from others and that sir is still a crime.Dell has to be the most honest Company and stand behind their products for the people it just blows me away why they do business with the likes of you .So there are my thoughts now carry on your road of torture,but a dream and one I believe in is about Americans are getting mad with the way businesses are buying politions and new leaders will change laws to stop your controls and they are making judgement of the media controls over our nation.We are tired of your fantasy lies and demand honest facts.Some of my past friends laugh at me by saying us "baby boomers" let us be first to show the others .Well as they joke and carry on i'm not because label me a baby boomer and inturn i'll label you....Being dumb for your show stops now and if you want to see business ,quote do not bend over in front of me because I'm going to stick you and that will be without a reach around,Got that cupcake!

#5 · Roger · 2006/12/23