"Reaction [beta]"
Anti-social? 12 Jul 2006
If you've used the interweb over the last year, you'll know all about the social networking explosion. Sites like MySpace, Bebo and LinkedIn have attracted huge numbers of members, interlinking them through shared interests, goals and affiliations. Many credit social networking with driving a new wave of innovation and revitalising a sagging web. Yet all this may soon change...
It's just been announced that Friendster - a pioneer of the SN craze - has been awarded a patent for online social networking. The patent application, filed three years ago, covers a "system, method and apparatus for connecting users in an online computer system based on their relationships within social networks". Apparently, there are more to follow.
At this point in time it's unclear as to whether Friendster will pursue rival social networking sites using this patent. The company's CEO Kent Lindstrom told Red Herring magazine that it was too early to say what action it would take, but made an ominous promise, saying "We'll do what we can to protect our intellectual property". The sale of MySpace to News Corporation for $500m last autumn proves that there's big money to be made from SN, so don't be surprised if lawsuits are filed soon. Worrying stuff for all those interested in the future of the web...
Source: Outlaw
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