SCUM ALERT! Read if you run ANY web site, especial ones that use e-commerence!!

[Joe Matt]

http://www.youmaybenext.com/

This isn't a joke, this is a serious company going after small businessses and other orginazations saything that they, get this, patanted e-commerence. Yep, you read that right.

This is EXTREMLY importent to us, it seems like this company is going after sites, even thoughs not dealing in e-commerence. This could runin your team legaly.

TechTV is actively covering this topic on TechLive and The Screen Savers.

[Trashed20]

i wouldn't worry about this. First of all, we are all non profit (well, im assuming) and we are not buisnesses. Secondof all, they are going after e-commerce buisnesses. Most teams don't have e-comerce on their sites, and again, they aren't buisnesses. You also said they went after non-e-commerce sites. This is true but when motions were filled on these cases the charges were dropped, so i don't think we need to worry about that. What you need to worry about is your hosting companies and internet suppliers.... but they are catching minows right now, not whales. besides, it'll all prolly get thrown out in court too. The patend says they copyrighted being able to show products, order them and ship them electronically including billing. This is like saying, "i copyrighted a motor vehicle with 4 weels". Its so increadibly broad that it can't hold up.

[rbayer]

I especially like the second patent they filed:

...which holds image-and-sound-generating information arranged to simulate the aspect and speech of an application loan officer on the video screen...

Who the heck would ever do something like this?

Anyway, I agree that you shouldn't worry too much. Judges are starting to get a little smarter about the rediculousness(sp) of patenting software concepts. Hopefully, whatever judge tries this case will be one of the "enlightened."

For more proof of how unsubstantiated this lawsuit is, go here