> > On Wed, Aug 12, 2009 at 09:49, Garrett > Fitzgerald<[email protected]> wrote: > > Ummmm.... isn't the definition of XML pretty much that all XML is > > "custom XML"? I think the only big check MS should be writing here is > > to their lawyers, unless there's something really non-obvious about > > that patent... > > ...which there isn't. > > "Thus, in sharp contrast to the prior art the present invention is > based on the practice of separating encoding conventions from the > content of a document. The invention does not use embedded metacoding > to differentiate the content of the document, but rather, the > metacodes of the document are separated from the content and held in > distinct storage in a structure called a metacode map, whereas > document content is held in a mapped content area. Raw content is an > extreme example of mapped content wherein the latter is totally > unstructured and has no embedded metacodes in the data stream. > > A metacode, which includes but is not limited to a descriptive code, > is an individual instruction which controls the interpretation of the > content of the data, i.e., it differentiates the content. A metacode > map is a multiplicity of metacodes and their addresses associated with > mapped content. An address is the place in the content at which the > metacode is to exert its effect. > > Thus, these structures completely replace the concept of a document > which combines content with embedded codes. Delivering a complete > document would entail delivering both the content and a metacode map > which describes it." > > How did the patent office manage to let that one slip by? *headdesk*
That's funny sh*t! I can almost picture the person writing that dribble laughing his/her ass off, imagining the void that would go through the mind of the patent examiner reading it. I worked at the Patent & Trade office for 2 years as a consultant on a bunch of different projects 2001-2003. Not the sharpest knives in the drawer, typical government bureaucracy. One of many experiences that converted me from a skeptic of government power to a downright cynic. Imagining these people running anything, least of all my health care, is a horrifying thought. We used to get a kick out of the quarterly catalog of issued patents. The "adult" patents were right out of a Clive Barker novel. One of the projects I was on had to do with publishing patented DNA sequences. Yes, that's right, DNA sequences... patented. I guess God forgot to file first. LOL. What a joke! The concept of patents as articulated by Benjamin Franklin was awesome. What the modern entitlement technocracy has done to the idea is a shame. - Bob > > [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[email protected] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
