[ale] IRC

[rhiannen]

Matty wrote:
> 
> Anyone care to start an ALE IRC Channel?

Wonder if AOL's new patent will try to cover IRC? ;)

It *is* a little bothersome just how broad and vague it appears to be.

http://www.infoworld.com/articles/hn/xml/02/12/19/021219hnaolquiet.xml?s=IDGNS
"...The language of the patent, which includes a claim over a
"communications system comprising of a communications network" and the
ability to monitor whether a user is connected to the network appears
broad. However, without expert examination it is unclear exactly what
claims AOL has over the current market...."

http://wirelessauthority.com.au/r/article/jsp/sid/12724
"...As a result, the patent governs a system of point-to-point
communications involving users at a network of terminals. Users log on
to the system with a unique identifier code that remains the same
regardless of their IP address, and can chat with other users
logged on at the same time. ..."

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=1935075
"...The new patent defines AOL's IM application as one that enables
users to chat with and identify one another across a specific
"communications network," opening up the possibility for AOL to
collect royalties from rivals. ..."

rhia
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