[Fsfe-uk] Microsoft granted patent covering parts of instant messaging

[Paul Mobbs]

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Microsoft granted an IM patent

By Jim Hu
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
Story last modified October 7, 2003, 6:15 PM PDT

Microsoft has won a patent for an instant messaging feature that
notifies users when the person they are communicating with is typing
a message.

The patent encompasses a feature that's not only on Microsoft's IM
products but also on those of its rivals America Online and Yahoo.
The patent was granted on Tuesday.

Patent No. 6,631,412 could serve as a weapon in Microsoft's battle
for IM market share. Microsoft is investing heavily in IM as a
springboard for selling communication software to businesses. Later
this year, Microsoft plans to launch Live Communications Server, a
software product that will initially offer IM for the enterprise and
then expand into Internet voice calling and video services.


http://news.com.com/2100-1028-5088150.html



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