Blackboard and the software patent issue
My first introduction to the bizarre world of the USPTO and software patents came through http://www.despair.com and its patenting of the frownie allegedly in protest at amazon’s patent for a 1-click ordering system. Even more bizarrely, such a patent, indeed any software patent would be deemed as illegal in Europe.
However, I recently came across http://noedupatents.org/ which has a plain English translation of blackboard.com’s patents for VLEs, along with other material that is essential reading for users of moodle or any other VLE.
The last thing I want to see is innovation in educational circles stifled in the name of profit. I have posted a longer version of this at http://www.educator.pro/board with a few other links if you’re looking for more information about this.
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