Facebook’s GraphQL spec doesn’t grant a patent license (opens in new tab)

(medium.com)

88 pointstyurok8y ago13 comments

13 comments

11 comments · 3 top-level

JoshMnem8y ago· 4 in thread

Software patents are out of control. Something should be done. And that something is not to unbalance the entire battlefield in favor of Facebook. Facebook is not looking out for the health of the ecosystem any more than they are for the freedom, independence, and privacy of their users. Large tech companies are creating environments that will stifle the ability of small companies to build new things or compete.

andy_5188y ago

Agreed it's out of control and a recent code generation patent is another example [1].

Anyone can share experience in opposing a patent? [2]

[1] https://twitter.com/fehguy/status/900736518884425728

[2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15121985

JoshMnem8y ago

I don't know. Put more pressure on tech companies to actually do something about the problem? Facebook is not really doing anything about it except making the field even more uneven (at the detriment of anyone who might have a patent that Facebook could infringe on).

chii8y ago

I'd argue that's a natural state of competition. Whenever a party reaches a dominant position, they'd use their power to stifle would be competitors (absent any regulations preventing otherwise).

JoshMnem8y ago

> Whenever a party reaches a dominant position, they'd use their power to stifle would be competitors (absent any regulations preventing otherwise).

True. "Natural" doesn't mean good. Leprosy is "natural" too.

Blackstone48y ago· 4 in thread

Apparently the author believes the Facebook patents only applies in the context of a social network.

LeifCarrotson8y ago

Because the patent text literally includes that qualifier.

> Examiner suggested . . . to advance the prosecution of this application: 1) Add the following limitations in claim 1: ‘a) graphs associated with a social-networking system’ . . . .

cwmma8y ago

though it also suggests that a 'social-networking system' can be interpreted very broadly

Blackstone48y ago

Yes - I feel the article's interpretation is a little overblown and social network refers to more of a Facebook competitor than anything else.

Github for instance uses GraphQL and they have a 'social' element since there are users who can post on forums and message each other. Does the author believe Github is infringing the patent? I feel that would be taking it too far. It would be interesting to hear Github's view on the article

1 more reply

devmunchies8y ago

almost every app has a way of sending a message to another user, which could technically be a competitor to Messenger

tareqak8y ago

I'm guessing someone is going to try to argue that all graphs are social networks as opposed to the opposite using very vexing vernacular.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

13 comments

11 comments · 3 top-level

JoshMnem8y ago· 4 in thread

andy_5188y ago

Agreed it's out of control and a recent code generation patent is another example [1].

Anyone can share experience in opposing a patent? [2]

[1] https://twitter.com/fehguy/status/900736518884425728

[2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15121985

JoshMnem8y ago

chii8y ago

I'd argue that's a natural state of competition. Whenever a party reaches a dominant position, they'd use their power to stifle would be competitors (absent any regulations preventing otherwise).

JoshMnem8y ago

> Whenever a party reaches a dominant position, they'd use their power to stifle would be competitors (absent any regulations preventing otherwise).

True. "Natural" doesn't mean good. Leprosy is "natural" too.

Blackstone48y ago· 4 in thread

Apparently the author believes the Facebook patents only applies in the context of a social network.

LeifCarrotson8y ago

Because the patent text literally includes that qualifier.

> Examiner suggested . . . to advance the prosecution of this application: 1) Add the following limitations in claim 1: ‘a) graphs associated with a social-networking system’ . . . .

cwmma8y ago

though it also suggests that a 'social-networking system' can be interpreted very broadly

Blackstone48y ago

Yes - I feel the article's interpretation is a little overblown and social network refers to more of a Facebook competitor than anything else.

1 more reply

devmunchies8y ago

almost every app has a way of sending a message to another user, which could technically be a competitor to Messenger

tareqak8y ago

I'm guessing someone is going to try to argue that all graphs are social networks as opposed to the opposite using very vexing vernacular.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse