Dave Winer reports on a couple of patent applications from Google and Amazon.
The Google application is particularly bizarre. It covers the inclusion of targeted ads in syndicated feeds (e.g. RSS). Even if Google is granted this patent, it’s impossible to see how they could defend it while maintaining their “not evil” image.
It’s sad to see these great web innovators falling back on patents in this way. Like an athlete who looks over his shoulder, they’re sending out a message that they can no longer rely on continuing creativity to stay ahead of the pack.