NeoMedia Technologies, Inc (NEOM)

[srowen]

Do I believe the claims of the 048 patent represent common practice in the world? no. In fact, I think if you thumb through all the press releases posted on this board, you will find none (at least, I do not remember seeing any) that use the method described in this patent. I would actually be fascinated for someone to show me one example of it in use.

Yes, I therefore think it's deplorable to run around the internet posting that this patent have a bearing on all these barcode-related activities that they don't. You could say, hey, it's a matter of opinion -- but I feel like these arguments have been debunked. Even streetstylz says, yeah, direct encoding is nothing to do with Neomedia. But that doesn't stop him from posting this boilerplate "Neomedia grandfathered barcodes.." PR thing on any blog to do with barcodes. Surely the point is to imply the Neomedia patents cover whatever the article is discussing. Isn't that, basically, lying? Don't we all think that's bad?

Do I wish NEOM would go away? No, NEOM has never given me any trouble. They seem like decent folks trying to make something out of a tough business. They aren't the ones posting around the internet, hurling insults.

Is it for the courts to decide? Meaning, is it me or the courts that gets to rule in a legal sense? Courts of course, but I don't imagine this question is as simplistic as it sounds. The implied statement seems to be: therefore, nobody should bother thinking about the patent or discussing it. Ridiculous. I think this meme gets trotted out as a shield against actually engaging in a discussion on the patent itself, when it becomes uncomfortable.