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111 Comments
- lordtyros, on 10/10/2007, -6/+143Stupid patents like this hurt the entire industry. Hopefully they're crushed in court.
- TacticalPenguin, on 10/10/2007, -5/+52If it applies to the cell processor then shouldn't it also apply to intel and AMD processors with more than one core?
- Ajajadude, on 10/10/2007, -2/+39They really need to overhaul the whole patent system. It's freaking ridiculous how these random companies stifle the electronics industry with these obscure, generalized patents for products they never had any intention of actually putting into production. If you haven't done anything with it for 18 years, choose not to go after a company that's been using this technology for a little while, then you should lose the ability to make money off of it.
- harrypl0tter, on 10/10/2007, -5/+33They won't win......especially since they probably aren't even using this patent for the better of technology.
- Philodox, on 10/10/2007, -0/+28They have a patent on threading? Wow.
- Infinitas, on 10/10/2007, -2/+28This is the biggest load of ***** I've read today, and being a digg user, I read a lot.
- dvsbastard, on 10/10/2007, -5/+28I hope Sony drives these patent whores into financial oblivion...
- EvolvedAnt, on 10/10/2007, -3/+26.............................,-~*`¯lllllll`*~,..........................................
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......................f`-,.........`-,/...*-,___,,-~*....,-*......|...`-,.................. - OhFrak, on 10/10/2007, -2/+24This article makes it clear there is nothing to the patent lawsuit:
http://news.digitaltrends.com/news/story/13725/ps3s_cell_processor_faces_patent_challenge
"The patent is for “A high speed computer that permits the partitioning of a single computer program into smaller concurrent processes running in different parallel processors.” Oddly enough, Sony’s own patent, filed in 2001 and issued in 2007, actually lists the 1991 patent as a citation. In other words, Sony’s own patent lawyers have already seen the old patent and deemed it not to be a threat, and the U.S. Patent Office apparently agreed when it issued Sony the patent in June." - EDmAN, on 10/10/2007, -3/+24Sorry, The Cell is all in one chip. This sounds to me like it is taking about several different processors, this would be more likely a motherboard with several processing chips. Otherwise all dual core chips manufactures would be in trouble. Just another bunch of stupid lawyers trying to get a big case. Are all lawyers corrupt?
- mywhitenoise, on 10/10/2007, -8/+29I hope Sony counter sues. Both parties are greedy *****, but if I were to pick one to lose money, it would be the little ***** who brought up a suit 8 months after the PS3 was released. And there's no way in ***** hell you're going to destroy my PS3.
- trubbleshute, on 10/10/2007, -5/+23I'm sure Sony can bounce back, they'll hire some legal muscles to make this disappear. If this actually kills the PS3 I will be VERY surprised.
From the patent:
"A high speed computer that permits the partitioning of a single computer program into smaller concurrent processes running in different parallel processors. The program execution time is divided into synchronous phases, each of which may require a shared memory to be configured in a distinct way. At the end of each execution phase, the processors are resynchronized such that the composite system will be in a known state at a known point in time. The computer makes efficient use of hardware such that n processors can solve a problem almost n times as fast as a single processor." - GMorgan, on 10/10/2007, -1/+18The entire idea is obvious as well. Parallel processing with shared memory was an idea raised in university in times ancient past. All that has happened is another company has stolen an idea that was made by academics and released to the world under the assumption of being public domain. There is nothing unique about this, it is entirely how the patent system works. Somebody comes up with an idea and leaves it free for all, a company later comes along and claims ownership.
The only way the patent system can be made to work is if everyone who has an idea (and wants it open) gets a patent on it and then gives out an unconditional and redistributable patent license on it. If that happened then companies dependent on IP theft will be royally screwed but it would also put loads of money into the hands of lawyer leaches.
This is the real problem (and one that is exacerbated by changes to a 'first to file' patent system). You cannot have your work open by default, if you do some corporation will steal it from you. This accounts for the vast majority of patents. - felman87, on 10/10/2007, -1/+18This along with the immersion suit (which was retarded for MS, ninten and sony) and that blu-ray suit just grinds my gears. These patents are just ***** retarded.
- nreynolds, on 10/10/2007, -0/+17The patent doesn't make any real mention of one "controlling" processor and separate processors that work in parallel, only the fact that some processors work in parallel. To me, this sounds more like a patent on all multi-core technology that has shared memory much more than a patent against the Cell chip, which is a very unique multi-core chip.
- Ajajadude, on 10/10/2007, -0/+14One of the few times I'll side with the big corporations: when greedy lazy-asses go after them for money. I abhor lawsuits.
- Neiby, on 10/10/2007, -1/+15Nearly all lawyers are corrupt. I'm fairly sure of that.
- fatdog789, on 10/10/2007, -1/+15More importantly...the patent is too broad. Under the new, and very recent SCOTUS rulings, the court must not only find for Sony (should this go to court), it must also strike down the patent as invalid.
- GMorgan, on 10/10/2007, -1/+15Lawyers aren't so bad, it's just 95% give the rest a bad name.
- GMorgan, on 10/10/2007, -0/+13No it's just Sony is the best target right now. An attack on IBM would be suicide. They are the biggest patent holders in the tech industry. Sony are a softer target in this area than the pure computing companies.
- xerus, on 10/10/2007, -1/+12Jesus Christ! This video card has become self aware! God help us.
- three60, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11Uh yeah. Look at NTP vs. RIM's Blackberry. NTP won $600+M for owning the wireless email patent. NTP didn't do jack with it, just owned it. This even after the fact that a separate judge declared the patents invalid.
- felman87, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9Sony Toshiba and IBM own it respectively, although IBM was the big muscle behind making it. Which is odd that the lawsuit would target sony.
- felman87, on 10/10/2007, -1/+10Why isn't IBM and Toshiba being sued then? All 3 of them were in on the cell processor.
- Urusai, on 10/10/2007, -1/+10The Patent Office would agree to patent stupidity despite ample prior art on their own part.
- EruLabs, on 10/10/2007, -1/+9Yeah, and thats what it seems like. However, x86 dual core chips do _not_ divide a single process onto multiple chips - and the chips are not 'in synch'.
Agreed. Broad patents are worthless and idiotic - plus, its IBMs proc! - benitojuarez, on 10/10/2007, -2/+10***** patent trolls. im not really a sony fan but i hope they smash these people into tiny bloodstains.
- abxy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+8"The whole point of the patent system is long lost, and it is getting worse and worse ..."
—John Carmack, id Software
(Games for Windows Magazine - May 2007 pg. 22) - GMorgan, on 10/10/2007, -1/+9You clearly don't know how patent trolls work. They don't have to produce anything useful.
- Godlike, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7im in ur video kard, increasin ur A.I.
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9I hate when people abuse the patent system.
Even if this WAS legit, you can tell they're just using the system for money by going after Sony and not IBM. - hmmdar, on 10/10/2007, -3/+10How can Sony be sued for the Cell processor, Isn't it the property of IBM?
- bobbyj1049, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7We'll according to the patent the entire computing industry is infringing on this one patent. Which showed up how many years after the first multi-core processors showed up?
- Doomhammer, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8What are you guys talking about? This is America! Forget about getting a job and earning money, just sue the hell out of everyone (whether you have a reason to or not) to get rich!
*rolls eyes* - Zreitan, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9people have been talking about the cell processor for years, even before the PS3, hell IBM makes servers that use cell technology. this wont go anywhere
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6...read the article.
- LuCiFer6, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7These patent lawsuits are getting riGODDAMdiclous. All of sudden now they decide now to sue Sony over patent rights. How long has Sony been talking about and/or described how the Cell CPU works before they released the PS3, 3 or 4 years?
Why the ***** didn't decide to move to block Sony back then before the release of the PS3? Sounds like someone is looking to get some easy money.
Also one of IBM's Blade Servers uses a the Cell Processors http://www-03.ibm.com/technology/splash/qs20/ I wonder why they're not mentioned in this lawsuit. - Fhwqhgads, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6Someone is after money. what else is new.
- elvenseven, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7Oh just stfu will you. ^
- Godlike, on 10/10/2007, -3/+8The other side of that problem is that then you have companies taking BS products to market that do almost nothing at all or are of very poor quality, and the few consumers that buy the limited runs get screwed. That really is how it works in some countries.
This might work in the US, if consumer advocacy was not a dead art long crushed into submission by the corporate machine. This is where I weep for Nader, who worked so hard just to see his work go to ***** the second he stepped away from it. He might not make a good president, but as far as corporate america goes, he really was on our side. - TrevorBelmont, on 10/10/2007, -3/+8No. But the legal system in which they work is corrupted so their honest work ends up corrupt.
- zhulien, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5um, aren't they supposed to sue the company that infringed on the patent (ie: not SONY who just uses components that alledgedly infringe on the patent)?
- Jedipottsy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Hoverboards ftw?
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5Yep, which is how you can tell it's a frivolous suit.
- lordtyros, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5They are the biggest patent holders in the world.
- nreynolds, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4but the description doesn't make any mention of like a "controlling" core, like the Cell has. The description sounds much more like they tried to patent multi-core technology.
- carbbomb, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Whats even funnier is that Sony actually cited this patent in thier own for use of the cell. Neither their lawyers then nor the US patent agency saw any infringement.
I hate patent suits like this. - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5I thought Patents or Copyrights expire after 10 years?
- Erunion, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3All patents are jokes. Just think of how much money is wasted on this stuff.
If you want a competitive market where companies have to work for their profits, abolish the patent office. - Piggycow, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4They didn't come up with *****, just a very broad idea of what may be possible sometime in the future. It was probably seen as insane at the time and thus the patent was granted. They never used it to develop anything and without a doubt Sony will win (unfortunately for them; fortunately for Intel and all those improving on processors though)
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