Patents Become a 'Social' Problem - Page 2

Patenting the big idea (Page 2 of 2)

However, patents for so-called "business processes" continue to be awarded to social networking companies.

These patents cover the very idea, rather than a particular method of implementing that idea.

In July, Friendster announced its first patent, "A System, Method and Apparatus for Connecting Users in an Online Computer System Based on Their Relationships within Social Networks."

Basically, Friendster patented the idea of calculating connectedness described in John Guare's play, "Six Degrees of Separation."

In its press release touting the award, the company said, "The patent's claims cover the unique system for calculating, displaying and acting upon relationships in a social network.

This invention led to the emergence of widely adopted online social networking systems." (Friendster also has an application, filed in October 2005, for a method of letting friends upload captioned photos of each other after getting pre-approval from the friend pictured.)

The Friendster patent was authored by Christopher Lunt, formerly its senior director of engineering, now vice president of engineering and cofounder of OurStory, a beta service that lets families and small social groups create multimedia scrapbooks.

"My approach was defensive," he said. "We were not looking to stifle creativity by competitors, nor to make money by licensing. We were making sure that things material to our business were protected, so someone else couldn't claim the idea."

"I dislike the current patent process," Lunt added. "I feel it's a little too permissive in terms of what is granted as a patent. But that doesn?t mean I can ignore it."

More and More

There's no slowdown in sight for social media patents. In August, Microsoft applied for a patent on a way to allow a community of users to rate content across a variety of Web sites and display contextual sensitive reviews.

In June, it filed for a way to automatically develop profiles of people who play on game consoles that let them create a social community of gamers.

The system lets others provide feedback about a player while allowing everyone to personalize their own profiles.

There are 50 published patent applications that include the term "social network." Right now, social media startups are playing a waiting game when it comes to exploiting all this new IP.

Friendster President Kent Lindstrom said the company will continue to file patents as it creates new features for the site, which recently received an infusion of cash.

"Licensing is an option for any patent holder, but it is not a revenue stream considered in our current business plan," he added.

But licensing the technology to others isn't out of the question for Friendster or anyone else.

Eurekster's Ryan noted that one application was filed before the launch of Friendster and LinkedIn, the professional networking service.

"We have identified companies that are using technology [covered by] patents we've got filed," he said. "It's a matter of what we do, when and if they're granted."

Should OurStory, LinkedIn and other networking sites be afraid of the Friendster patent?

"That remains to be seen," said Lunt. "For someone like LinkedIn that has a solid business model, it could be an issue at some point that a lot of the value they provide could depend on some of these patents -- if they start to be awarded.

"But obviously, they're working on their own patent library, and it comes down to détente," he continued.

"I hope I'm not haunted by the work I've done in the past."