Top > Webmaster > 2007 > January > 2007-01-03

Microsoft List Two RSS-Based Patents

Microsoft announced in the past that the company will support the online distribution of news and blogs using the RSS standard, but now listed two RSS-related patents for its applications. The company said that although it will copyright the patents, it does not mean that Microsoft is backing from its previous statement regarding the RSS standard. The company`s representative regarded the matter as "common industry practice, and one which, by incenting and protecting the companies and people involved, encourages everyone to contribute to the community."

Upon the discovery of the two RSS-related patents, bloggers have started discussion the possible future usage of the copyrighted applications. The claim is that Microsoft might ask for a financial compensation, or some sort of payment for the use of the patents, or even for consuming any content through the RSS platform. Microsoft might use the new patents in its web browser, and ask for money for the necessary update or download of plug-ins. Although Microsoft is obviously saying that no such action will be taken, bloggers are worried.

Microsoft`s representative said that Microsoft has always promoted "an open and reasonable relationship with the RSS community," and added that Microsoft does not claim that the company invented the RSS standard. Looking at the company`s past doings, its hard to tell what the future will bring. Having a patent over the platforms probably means, according to analysts, that Microsoft is looking to copyright future uses of the RSS platform, usages that have never been offered before.