Keyboard tab key patent
Keyboard tab key patent

Microsoft tab key patent 'not worth the bother'

Enforcing hyperlink navigation method would be a PR disaster, says expert

Peter Williams

Microsoft has gained a patent for using the keyboard tab key to move between links on a web page, but enforcing it could prove counterproductive.

The software firm first submitted the application for patent number 6785865 in March 1997.

Advertisement

The patent summary states: "A user may discover and navigate among hyperlinks through the use of a keyboard. For example, a user may press a tab key to discover and navigate to a first hyperlink that is part of a hypertext document.

"The first hyperlink is, in response, given focus and a focus shape is drawn around the text or graphics for the hot region of the hyperlink. If the user again presses the tab key, the next hyperlink is given focus and a focus shape."

Microsoft told vnunet.com: "Navigating through sets of hyperlinks can be tough if someone doesn't have a mouse, something that is a particularly noticeable challenge for some non-PC devices.

"This patent relates to one technique to that can be used to reduce the challenge."

Microsoft stated that, consistent with its intellectual property policy statement, "should others wish to license this patent, we are happy to discuss that possibility with them".

"Microsoft has not recently held any discussions about this patent, and it does not currently map to any particular Microsoft product that is either shipping or in development," the company added.

But John Collins, a partner at legal firm Marks & Clerk, said: "I would be very surprised if Microsoft did anything with this patent.

"They have an asset. But potentially it may be a worthless asset. [Enforcing it] would do it a grave disservice from a public relations point of view."

Collins suggested that a more general problem was the quality of patent granting, which was particularly acute in IT because of the rate of change.

"The whole problem is one of quality, particularly coming out of the US," he said. "The issue for the US Patent Office is the pressure it is under to throughput work."

Collins argued that the standard response from companies challenged as infringing such a patent would be: "We do not infringe it and [second] it is invalid because of prior art."

  • Have your say
  • Send to a friend
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Share

Tags:

Do you agree?

Further reading

Limited patent threat

Patent threat to open source is limited

Gaining an injunction would be very difficult, argues patent law specialist

Opposition to Sender ID

Sender ID loses open source support

Apache Software Foundation among developers shunning Microsoft anti-spam measure

Open source

Linux is becoming the operating system of choice for an increasing number of corporates, and even the mighty Microsoft is acknowledging the threat ...

Linux: Patently an opportunity

Daniel Ravicher, of Open Source Risk Management, tells vnunet.com why he believes the Linux kernel may infringe 283 patents

Related whitepapers

Related jobs

Most watched

iPhone

Video Review: iPhone 3GS

We put Apple's latest iPhone through its paces

Xperia X1

Video Review: Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

First Looks Editor Ian Williams gets hands on with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

IT white papers

Search white papers

Top categories

Poll

Poll: Summer smartphones

Poll: Summer smartphones

Which smartphone will you be taking to the beach this summer?

View poll results

Advertisement

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Enter email address to edit your newsletter preferences

Job of the week

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Hiring now on ComputingCareers:

Related IT jobs

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Spotlight

iPhone

Video Review: iPhone 3GS

We put Apple's latest iPhone through its paces

old computer

Government honours veterans of Bletchley Park at last

Surviving veterans of the code-breaking facility to receive badge of...

Motorola MC55 Enterprise Digital Assistant

Review: Motorola MC55 Enterprise Digital Assistant

A rugged Windows Mobile device for mobile workers

BT

BT promises 1.5m fibre connections by summer 2010

Telco begins major rollout in 69 locations across the UK

Primary Navigation