[cperciva]

"Displaying data in multiple computer windows" is an absolutely ridiculous patent.

It would indeed be ridiculous if someone had a patent on displaying data in multiple computer windows, but that's not what was patented.

Here's claim #1 -- the other claims are similar in their specificity:

1. A system for synchronizing the presentation of data on a digital computer display, comprising:

first and second window-controlling means, each of said window-controlling means displaying information in at least one display window, a synchronization control means, and means for communications between said synchronization control means and each of said first and second window-controlling means; wherein said first window-controlling means displays first information from a first source, and said second window-controlling means displays second information from a second source; wherein said first information and said second information have sections, and at least one section of said second information corresponds to a section of said first information; wherein said first window-controlling means sends a message to said synchronization control means over said means for communications indicating a change in viewing position to a new section of said first information; wherein said synchronization control means sends a message to said second window-controlling means over said means for communications requesting a change in viewing position to a section of said second information corresponding to said new section of said first information; and wherein said second window-controlling means displays said corresponding section of said second information on at least one display window.

Remember, patents cover methods, not purposes. This patent covers a specific method for displaying data in multiple windows, not the general concept of displaying data in multiple windows.

Mind you, I still think it's a dumb patent. But let's make sure we understand what we're lynching them for before we get out the torches and pitchforks, ok?

[JoshTriplett]

Translated from patentese:

- Two or more windows displaying data from different sources

- The sources have sections

- Sections from one source have corresponding sections in another source.

- Changing sections in one window makes other windows change to corresponding sections.

- Basic message-passing communication to implement the above.

[rafaelferreira]

Prior art: Smalltalk MVC. Reference: Krasner&Pope, 1990 [1]

[1] http://www.ics.uci.edu/~redmiles/ics227-SQ04/papers/KrasnerP...

[mey]

So any online video game is prior art?

[wickeand000]

I think my current terminal window is prior art...

[GoodIntentions]

There must be hundreds of examples of prior art.

I wrote a split screen sprite editor for dos about 20 years ago. I bet it's still on a 720 floppy some place in my basement. In fact, I think I have a source printout filed away too..

[shasta]

>> But let's make sure we understand what we're lynching them for before we get out the torches and pitchforks, ok?

Have you ever used Hipmunk? It's user friendly and all, but it's not rocket science in the 50s. I think it's fair to assume that any patent they're violating is probably bullshit without too much research.