http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=8,380,676.PN.&OS=PN/8,380,676&RS=PN/8,380,676
<quote> Automatic deletion of temporary files *Abstract* Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products feature selecting a file in a distributed file system. The file is associated with a time to live derived from a path name for the file. The file is divided into a plurality of chunks that are distributed among a plurality of servers. Each chunk has a respective modification time indicating when the chunk was last modified. A latest respective modification time among the respective modification times of each of the plurality of chunks is selected. A determination is made as to whether an elapsed time based on the latest modification time is equal to or exceeds the time to live. Each of the chunks of the file is deleted responsive to the determination. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products. </quote> So, just put an "expiration time" as part of a file name and you can patent it? These people have their head where the sun don't shine. OK, maybe nobody else has done this _exact_ thing. But, really? Of course, in today's society, defensive patents are a requirement. So this may be along those lines. -- This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. If this had been an actual emergency, do you really think we'd stick around to tell you? Maranatha! <>< John McKown ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
