NeoMedia Technologies, Inc (NEOM)

[kokonutguy]

More from Jeff on server redirect.

We have gotten a couple e-mails today regarding the term “server redirect” and how it applies to qode and the patents.

Let me try to clarify what is and is not patented in the “redirect”. Obviously server redirects have been around since the Internet started. NeoMedia DOES NOT own a patent on server redirects using .htaccess files or any other method.

NeoMedia DOES OWN a patent on “directing” a browser based upon the interpretation of a 2D barcode. In other words, when a system or device (i.e. mobile phone) reads the barcode and captures the unique identifier out of that code (or keyword in some cases), the server will redirect the user to a particular URL.

Now I believe the confusion is coming in where people are comparing apples to oranges. A server redirect is limited to redirecting a single web page. So for example, if I wanted to redirect this blog from blog.announcemobile.com to iamgettingtiredofdumbquestions.announcemobile.com I could create a .htaccess file to accomplish this for me. I could NOT use the Link Manager for qode to do this.

On the other hand, if I have a 2D barcode and I want to direct the consumer to a particular website based on that user’s age, I would use the Link Manager for qode. Why? Because a .htaccess file is simply a file that redirects or rewrites a URL. It can’t determine someone’s age. The .htaccess file provides a STATIC url rewrite and is not dynamic in nature. Okay, for the children that want to argue you could create a web page that interprets the code and redirects based on that, well then you would be violating the patent :)… Also, .htaccess files are installed on the server where the redirect needs to occur. This makes it inefficient for a managed services provider, such as Announce Mobile. With Link Manager we can control the entire solution from end-to-end providing a cost savings to the company.

The first example is a true “redirect” as defined in any book you read about server configurations. The method qode uses is not as much a redirect by definition, but more of a conditional action. So when comparing redirects via .htaccess files to Link Manager “actions” you are comparing apples to oranges.

Lastly, .htaccess files IN CORPORATIONS (let me say that again IN CORPORATIONS) and not some guy running a personal website, are controlled by the IT (that would be Information Technology) department of the corporation. They are the ones responsible for writing and installing .htaccess files on servers. Additionally, in corporations the marketing department, you know the ones who purchased Hip2D for their marketing efforts, want an easy to use solution that does not involve asking other departments to do something for them. Hip2D (and qode) is an easy to use solution. It is what some like to call “Turn-Key”. Meaning that you purchase it, tell us what you want, we provide you with the 2D code and you are off and running. No configuring, no management, nothing.

http://blog.announcemobile.com/