Microsoft is applying for a patent in which they wish to patent a ‘goodbye’ message being sent when using text messaging, chat or VoIP. You have to read the patent application which fully describes what they wish to patent. After reading it, you can fully understand why the patent process is in need of a major overall. The patent application states in part:

BACKGROUND

[0001] Various “real-time” messaging systems are available, such as Instant Messenger, Chat, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and so forth, that enable users to communicate with each another in near real-time. As an example, a user can quickly and easily converse with another user over a wide geographic expanse using such a messaging system. Real-time messaging systems are provided by various software vendors, Internet service providers, and others.

[0002] Use of such messaging systems has grown in popularity. A messaging system can be used not only as a social interaction tool, but also as a business tool that sometimes obviates the need to meet someone in person, locate a telephone, or perform other non-electronic interactions with other people. People who desire to communicate quickly with others without relying on a telephone or waiting for an electronic mail exchange to occur commonly employ real-time messaging systems. In fact, these types of messaging systems have become so commonplace that they are provided as a component of operating systems, such as in the MICROSOFT WINDOWS operating system. Examples of commonly employed versions of real-time messaging systems are MICROSOFT WINDOWS MESSENGER and MICROSOFT OFFICE COMMUNICATOR.

[0003] Users generally use these real-time messaging systems to establish conversation sessions in which they exchange messages with other people. The messages can be part of a quick exchange or a long and drawn out conversation. Examples of messages are text and voice.

[0004] Ending a conversation without first sending an appropriate communication or other content can sometimes be misunderstood by a converser with whom a conversation is ended. As an example, a converser may be insulted when the user terminates a conversation without saying goodbye or may consider it to be rude to end a conversation abruptly without a communication that the conversation is ending. However, in some cultures, it can be difficult to provide such language to end a conversation. As an example, in some cultures it can be difficult to say goodbye to another person. Users who are in a rush may also find it difficult to end a conversation politely. Moreover, because messaging systems are generally textual, it can be difficult to provide other visual or auditory cues that humans generally provide when they converse in person.

When I see something like this I pity the courts when they go to try and unscrew something such as this. Hello Congress. It looks like patent reforms are really needed after all.

Comments welcome.

Full patent application can be seen here.

Tags: microsoft, patent, goodby, messenging, text, voip, chat