I noticed a recent post about real-time broadcast filtering. Apparently Microsoft is chasing the idea hard enough to file for a patent (October ‘04). I don’t want to be labeled a pro-censorship guy, but this could allow live broadcasting for the masses (with pre-10pm television airings automatically blocking potential f-bombs). I’d call this a good idea.
What I don’t like is seeing patent applications gaining public attention long before the product releases ever do. I’d call this a problem. Laying claim to general ideas prior even to implementation is ridiculous. It squashes innovation. This particular patent application describes services pertaining to input audio data streams, and thus bleeds into a number of emerging Internet apps (as do countless other patents in various stages of approval).
The next few years are going to be interesting in respect to patent enforcement, especially on the Internet.