[COURTROOM] Lodsys LLC. sues Android devs too, same situation as with Apple

Yeah. I dislike these trolls. They claim that "it is just fair to get paid for their work", but why don't they have developed ONE SINGLE product that uses their "great invention". Because they are snake-oil traders. They sell imaginary stuff. An idea, that is nothing worth, because it was never realized. Others work hard to get prototypes up and running and LLC. let themselves get paid for the work of others. Great. So they are practically technology-pimps and prostitute ideas.

Whatever. So they start suing Apple devs who use in-app-payments... And not because Apple didn't properly license the technology... noooooooo:

Q: Lodsys is trying to force Apple to take a license by pressuring iOS developers.05/15/2011   No, that’s not what’s happening.   Apple is licensed for its nameplate products and services.

source: here

They claim EVERY SINGLE DEVELOPER has to license their stuff. WTF?

And now they turn against Android and the situation is the same:

Q: What about other Operating Systems such as Android?05/15/2011   So far no one has asked this, or speculated on it, but it’s a logical question for a business that has created applications on multiple platforms.  Google is licensedfor its nameplate products and services.  Also, Microsoft is licensed for their nameplate products and services.

source: here

So please explain to me: What are Software patents for? They are simply a cheap rip-off.

Here is their "explanation" for their legal actions against devs:

Q: Why is Lodsys contacting Application publishers and website publishers rather than Operating system vendors, or device manufacturers?05/15/2011    The economic gains provided by the Lodsys inventions (increase in revenue through additional sales, or decrease in costs to service the customer) are being enjoyed by the business that provides the product or service that interacts with the user.  Since Lodsys patent rights are of value to that overall solution, it is only fair to get paid by the party that is accountable for the entire solution and which captures the value (rather than a technology supplier or a retailer).     As a comparative example, it is the owner of the hotel who is responsible for the overall service (value proposition) that guests pay for, not the owner of the land that the hotel may be leasing, not the travel agent that sold the reservation, not the manufacturer of tools such as hammers, nor the provider of materials such as nails or steel beams, which may be used in building the hotel; nor is it the outsourced linen washing service or the architect of the building who is responsible.  Lodsys’ patent portfolio is being used as a part of an overall solution and we are seeking to be paid for the use of patent rights by the accountable party.   As an extended metaphor, in the hotel example, no one would expect the architect to not be paid, or for the nails to come for free.  They get paid some subset of the overall value, but they get paid for their contribution to the solution under an agreement they have with the hotel owner.

source: here

So basically, they don't just want a slice of Google's or Apple's slice, they want a slice of every slice. Greedy? Indeed. So what did Google or Apple license this stuff for if their great license isn't worth anything for the devs? That's just bullpoo!

Dear Lodsys, please go and rethink your business practices.

Source: androidcommunity.com

Yeah. I dislike these trolls. They claim that "it is just fair to get paid for their work", but why don't they have developed ONE SINGLE product that uses their "great invention". Because they are snake-oil traders. They sell imaginary stuff. An idea, that is nothing worth, because it was never realized. Others work hard to get prototypes up and running and LLC. let themselves get paid for the work of others. Great. So they are practically technology-pimps and prostitute ideas.

Whatever. So they start suing Apple devs who use in-app-payments... And not because Apple didn't properly license the technology... noooooooo:

Q: Lodsys is trying to force Apple to take a license by pressuring iOS developers.05/15/2011   No, that’s not what’s happening.   Apple is licensed for its nameplate products and services.

source: here

They claim EVERY SINGLE DEVELOPER has to license their stuff. WTF?

And now they turn against Android and the situation is the same:

Q: What about other Operating Systems such as Android?05/15/2011   So far no one has asked this, or speculated on it, but it’s a logical question for a business that has created applications on multiple platforms.  Google is licensedfor its nameplate products and services.  Also, Microsoft is licensed for their nameplate products and services.

source: here

So please explain to me: What are Software patents for? They are simply a cheap rip-off.

Here is their "explanation" for their legal actions against devs:

Q: Why is Lodsys contacting Application publishers and website publishers rather than Operating system vendors, or device manufacturers?05/15/2011    The economic gains provided by the Lodsys inventions (increase in revenue through additional sales, or decrease in costs to service the customer) are being enjoyed by the business that provides the product or service that interacts with the user.  Since Lodsys patent rights are of value to that overall solution, it is only fair to get paid by the party that is accountable for the entire solution and which captures the value (rather than a technology supplier or a retailer).     As a comparative example, it is the owner of the hotel who is responsible for the overall service (value proposition) that guests pay for, not the owner of the land that the hotel may be leasing, not the travel agent that sold the reservation, not the manufacturer of tools such as hammers, nor the provider of materials such as nails or steel beams, which may be used in building the hotel; nor is it the outsourced linen washing service or the architect of the building who is responsible.  Lodsys’ patent portfolio is being used as a part of an overall solution and we are seeking to be paid for the use of patent rights by the accountable party.   As an extended metaphor, in the hotel example, no one would expect the architect to not be paid, or for the nails to come for free.  They get paid some subset of the overall value, but they get paid for their contribution to the solution under an agreement they have with the hotel owner.

source: here

So basically, they don't just want a slice of Google's or Apple's slice, they want a slice of every slice. Greedy? Indeed. So what did Google or Apple license this stuff for if their great license isn't worth anything for the devs? That's just bullpoo!

Dear Lodsys, please go and rethink your business practices.

Source: androidcommunity.com

[COURTROOM] Lodsys LLC. sues Android devs too, same situation as with Apple

HOW TO: Make an iPad that doesn't look like an iPad but Apple might sue you anyway. [Part 2]

Now it's time to ward off some lawyers.

Tools you need:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab (mine has a slim-case, I never interact with Apple without proper protection)
• Apple Stickers of the Macbook you don't own anymore
• a ruler (maybe)

The stuff you need.

Carefully peel the sticker off the carrier-sheet.

Use a ruler to verify that the used fruit is centered.

Apply pressure.

(and don't forget to wash your hands later :-/)

It still doesn't look like an iPad.

It looks a little bit like an old iPhone though. Ewww!

And now: Sue me! (Nah, please don't)

Now it's time to ward off some lawyers.

Tools you need:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab (mine has a slim-case, I never interact with Apple without proper protection)
• Apple Stickers of the Macbook you don't own anymore
• a ruler (maybe)

The stuff you need.

Carefully peel the sticker off the carrier-sheet.

Use a ruler to verify that the used fruit is centered.

Apply pressure.

(and don't forget to wash your hands later :-/)

It still doesn't look like an iPad.

It looks a little bit like an old iPhone though. Ewww!

And now: Sue me! (Nah, please don't)

HOW TO: Make an iPad that doesn't look like an iPad but Apple might sue you anyway. [Part 2]

One or two things about keyboards. [Part 1]

Yeah, I gotta admit: I am a programmer. Therefore I've quite a fetish when it comes to keyboards.

I simply can't work with a crappy keyboard, so I went through quite some lengths to find a good one.

First: No, I don't really hate a numpad... but if you have a limited workspace, like me, you will go nuts at least the 10000th time, you bump with your mouse on the way too big keyboard.

So you start looking for alternatives.
You might think: Oh, let's check for a wireless solution... probably something from a well known brand... not too expensive... and there you go with the Microsoft Arc Keyboard

Microsoft Arc Keyboard

First things first: It comes with a reaaaaally nice cloth thing to store it somewhere... kinda protective covering. I guess most people throw it away, but it was just too nice to do that, so I kept it. It is not a Bluetooth keyboard, so you get this little transceiver that is cleverly stored under the keyboard itself using a magnet. This can be a pro or con. If you still own floppy disks, don't put this keyboard on top of them.

This thing runs on AAA juice... not quite the money friendliest power-solution (at least here in Austria it isn't), but I haven't had to replace the batteries yet. (not bad, not bad)
So, here are the con's: It is one of those super-shiny-glossy-accessories that you will love at first and damn later, because it attracts fingerprints and smudge like nothing else... and a keyboard is way more difficult to clean than a touchscreen. Second, very uncomfortable fact is, that the keyboard is too flat to be comfortable for typing... It is super-portable, super stable on the desk, but simply too flat on the edges... next problem is the way the keys feel while typing.. I always hat the Impression there was too much friction while I typed. It felt like the keys would start to wear off quickly... not so pleasant. And here is the biggest downside: the d-pad or whatever that should be.

Nightmare.

It is almost impossible to use. I guess it was designed for powerpoint presentations or something like that, because it is as userfriendly as the left and right click buttons on the Acer Aspire One A150.
Drivers are sometimes an issue too, so you might check if you plugged in the transceiver into a different USB port than last time, because sometimes the driver does not load and the keyboard does not work just because of that.
Overall: Nice try... It is definitely a nice keyboard, but not for programmers or people who write a lot... or that use the arrow keys to navigate. I'll still use it for XBMC... But coding? No way.
Uh yeah, before I forget, the price... It is about 33$ on Amazon.com or 33€ on Amazon.de

Second try: The infamous Apple Wireless Keyboard

Yeah I know... "Booo, you bought from the enemy!". I just needed a Bluetooth keyboard that is 100% working with my Samsung Galaxy Tab :-P
Of course it is fancy packaged and smells like Apple things smell... Pairing was easy and even batteries were included.
Yeah it has arrow keys... big plus. But the arrangement of the keys is different & "<" and "^" keys are exchanged (default mapping)... ok, I can live with that. It has a similar typing experience as the Microsoft keyboard... slightly better though, but not so much better that it would justify the 66€ I paid for it... and most annoying thing: no "DEL" key o.O That really sucks. and I mean really really...
I haven't had much time to test the battery-life though, so I'll probably report another time about that :)

So much for the first part... but I'll add a little information another time.

Yeah, I gotta admit: I am a programmer. Therefore I've quite a fetish when it comes to keyboards.

I simply can't work with a crappy keyboard, so I went through quite some lengths to find a good one.

First: No, I don't really hate a numpad... but if you have a limited workspace, like me, you will go nuts at least the 10000th time, you bump with your mouse on the way too big keyboard.

So you start looking for alternatives.
You might think: Oh, let's check for a wireless solution... probably something from a well known brand... not too expensive... and there you go with the Microsoft Arc Keyboard

Microsoft Arc Keyboard

First things first: It comes with a reaaaaally nice cloth thing to store it somewhere... kinda protective covering. I guess most people throw it away, but it was just too nice to do that, so I kept it. It is not a Bluetooth keyboard, so you get this little transceiver that is cleverly stored under the keyboard itself using a magnet. This can be a pro or con. If you still own floppy disks, don't put this keyboard on top of them.

This thing runs on AAA juice... not quite the money friendliest power-solution (at least here in Austria it isn't), but I haven't had to replace the batteries yet. (not bad, not bad)
So, here are the con's: It is one of those super-shiny-glossy-accessories that you will love at first and damn later, because it attracts fingerprints and smudge like nothing else... and a keyboard is way more difficult to clean than a touchscreen. Second, very uncomfortable fact is, that the keyboard is too flat to be comfortable for typing... It is super-portable, super stable on the desk, but simply too flat on the edges... next problem is the way the keys feel while typing.. I always hat the Impression there was too much friction while I typed. It felt like the keys would start to wear off quickly... not so pleasant. And here is the biggest downside: the d-pad or whatever that should be.

Nightmare.

It is almost impossible to use. I guess it was designed for powerpoint presentations or something like that, because it is as userfriendly as the left and right click buttons on the Acer Aspire One A150.
Drivers are sometimes an issue too, so you might check if you plugged in the transceiver into a different USB port than last time, because sometimes the driver does not load and the keyboard does not work just because of that.
Overall: Nice try... It is definitely a nice keyboard, but not for programmers or people who write a lot... or that use the arrow keys to navigate. I'll still use it for XBMC... But coding? No way.
Uh yeah, before I forget, the price... It is about 33$ on Amazon.com or 33€ on Amazon.de

Second try: The infamous Apple Wireless Keyboard

Yeah I know... "Booo, you bought from the enemy!". I just needed a Bluetooth keyboard that is 100% working with my Samsung Galaxy Tab :-P
Of course it is fancy packaged and smells like Apple things smell... Pairing was easy and even batteries were included.
Yeah it has arrow keys... big plus. But the arrangement of the keys is different & "<" and "^" keys are exchanged (default mapping)... ok, I can live with that. It has a similar typing experience as the Microsoft keyboard... slightly better though, but not so much better that it would justify the 66€ I paid for it... and most annoying thing: no "DEL" key o.O That really sucks. and I mean really really...
I haven't had much time to test the battery-life though, so I'll probably report another time about that :)

So much for the first part... but I'll add a little information another time.

One or two things about keyboards. [Part 1]

Hard boiled eggs for breakfast ain't as healthy as an Apple.

... but they may go hand in hand. What I'm talking about? Scrotal hyperthermia.

your lap after 30, 60 and 120 minutes

Well... Guess what. Your balls like fresh air and chilly temperatures, but if you remember the MacBook unibody test results of the Core i7 model which showed a peak temperature of about 100°C (212°F) (luckily) on the bottom side of the notebook, you don't have to be a rocket-scientist to figure out that your little swimmers might want to avoid being cooked alive like a hummer.

... but they may go hand in hand. What I'm talking about? Scrotal hyperthermia.

your lap after 30, 60 and 120 minutes

Well... Guess what. Your balls like fresh air and chilly temperatures, but if you remember the MacBook unibody test results of the Core i7 model which showed a peak temperature of about 100°C (212°F) (luckily) on the bottom side of the notebook, you don't have to be a rocket-scientist to figure out that your little swimmers might want to avoid being cooked alive like a hummer.

Hard boiled eggs for breakfast ain't as healthy as an Apple.