[ NNSquad ] Microsoft "VoIP Wiretapping" Patent Application was *Rejected* (Fascinating Reading)

[Lauren Weinstein <lauren@vortex.com>]

Microsoft "VoIP Wiretapping" Patent Application was *Rejected* 
(Fascinating Reading)
http://j.mp/iqDPmU  (This message on Google Buzz)

 - - -

All over the Net today (including by me this morning) there has 
been discussion of a Microsoft patent application for the interception
("wiretapping") of VoIP communications systems such as Skype:
http://j.mp/lUcIpZ  (USPTO)

What hasn't been widely reported though, is that the application has
been in dispute since its filing in 2009, and was apparently declared
Rejected ("Final" Action) less than a week ago.

I only learned this when the detailed rejection notification was
provided to me this afternoon.  It makes for fascinating reading,
discussing highly technical issues of software vs. hardware, prior
art, and a variety of topics at the intersection of technology and
patent law:

http://j.mp/mQQNWT  (Lauren's Blog / ~1 MB PDF)

--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