Open Source Music Fingerprinter Gets Patent Nastygram

[Roflcopter]

In case we should even momentarily forget it's all about money, money, money in this business

[thepopeofpop]

In case we should even momentarily forget it's all about money, money, money in this business

His mistake was mentioning Shazam in his blog. If he'd just said he'd written an app that matched songs by sampling small sections, without mentioning the name of a product that already does this, he'd probably be OK.

The thing about lawyers is that they have to justify their jobs, and this guy looks like an easy mark, so they get to do "something" by sending him threatening letters.

I'm not sure their lawsuit would succeed. I mean, you can't patent an idea, you can only patent a specific solution. For example, Edison didn't invent the lightbulb, because it already existed. He invented, and patented, a better lightbulb. The previous inventors couldn't sue Edison because his lightbulb worked in a better, different, way.

From what the guy is saying about Shazam's US patents, it sounds like they haven't provided enough detail about how their app works. It's almost like they have just patented the "idea". It wouldn't be the first time a patent was granted inappropriately.... Such a patent could be challenged as it prevents competition. There should be no reason why another company can't do what Shazam does. Apple aren't the only people who make computers, Nokia aren't the only people who make phones...

[Roflcopter]

His mistake was mentioning Shazam in his blog. If he'd just said he'd written an app that matched songs by sampling small sections, without mentioning the name of a product that already does this, he'd probably be OK.

Not sure about that - he probably would have run afoul of some watchdog agency in Shazam's employ.

You are correct about ideas and patents - it's about specific implementations - and since he never signed any EULA as to reverse engineering the product, I also fail to see how they could have made it stick in court - which is not the same as saying you'd actually LIKE to have a lawsuit with all the money and time it gobbles up, even if you do ultimately win it.

I seriously doubt Shazam's right to try and shut people up in posting 'alternative code' solutions to their product - it's not only the patent system running amuck, it's even anti-CAPITALIST.

Something seriously rotten in Denmark, anyway...