NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Microsoft "VoIP Wiretapping" Patent Application Surfaces
Microsoft "VoIP Wiretapping" Patent Application Surfaces
http://j.mp/mxhk3l (This message on Google Buzz)
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http://j.mp/msCGZl ("Conceivably Tech" Article)
"The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published a Microsoft patent
application that reaches back to December 2009 and describes
"recording agents" to legally intercept VoIP phone calls. ...
The patent was filed well before Microsoft's acquisition of Skype
and there is no reason to believe that the patent was filed with
Skype as a Microsoft property in mind. However, the patent
mentions Skype explicitly as an example application for this
technology and Microsoft may now have to answer questions in
which way this patent applies to its new Skype entity and if the
technology will become part of Skype."
- - -
Obviously, nothing to worry about with this one, right? After all, it
will be restricted to "legal" uses, eh? Like, you know, wiretapping
peace activists and such.
Actually, the really funny part is that the application is actually
titled "Legal Intercept" -- as if somehow the technology itself will
prevent "illegal" uses. Perhaps Microsoft was concerned that a title
like "Apparatus for legal and illegal interception of VoIP
conversations" might upset the USPTO. On the other hand, given all
the garbage patents that are awarded, Microsoft probably wouldn't have
had much to worry about even with a much broader and more accurate
title.
Ref: Stop the Patent Process Madness (Wired): http://j.mp/iOy10M
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein (lauren@vortex.com): http://www.vortex.com/lauren
Co-Founder: People For Internet Responsibility: http://www.pfir.org
Founder:
- Network Neutrality Squad: http://www.nnsquad.org
- Global Coalition for Transparent Internet Performance: http://www.gctip.org
- PRIVACY Forum: http://www.vortex.com
Member: ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenweinstein
Google Buzz: http://j.mp/laurenbuzz
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 / Skype: vortex.com