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Google Patents Search Box With Two Buttons

Nerd Grind — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:30:52 +0000

Back in 2004 Google submitted a single illustration of their Google.com homepage, of which the main component is a search box with two submit buttons below it, and a few text links.

On September 1, 2009 Google received their search page patent from the United States Patent Office. Technically Google has patented their homepage as a web "graphical user interface," for which they now have a patent to exclusively use that design. Google also submitted an application for the design of their search results in 2004, and that patent was issued in 2006. It would seem Google intended to license out the use of their patent to other search engines, namely Yahoo, but just ahead of the patent license approval some search engines have change their design to steer clear of the infringing on Google’s patent.

There is a long history behind the story of Google’s design patent filings. It all begins with Overture.

Overture Inc. was a paid search company that pioneered the paid bid-for-placement technology. In July 2001, the US patent office issued Overture a patent for the technology. Patent 6,269,361; also known as the 361 patent, essentially covered all AdWords like business models. Google needed access to the 361 patent in order to use AdWords, but it never managed to negotiate a licensing agreement with Overture. Consequently, in April 2002 Overture sued Google over patent infringement.

In July 2003 Yahoo acquired Overture in a mostly stock deal valued at $1.63 billion. This was an expensive deal as Yahoo’s stock was not flying very high at the time. Also, Overture did not have anything valuable apart from the 361 patent. Yahoo and Microsoft counted for the bulk of Overture’s revenue, and were it not for the 361 patent, Microsoft would have certainly walked away. The deal was very bad news for Google as Yahoo was now in a position to get just about anything they wanted from Google at the bargaining table. Yahoo is still dancing with Microsoft, since Yahoo announced they will now be using the Bing search engine technology for Yahoo search, but will deliver it in a slightly different way.

Google and Yahoo settled the 361 patent dispute in August 2004, which also happens to be when Google submitted their design patent applications that were approved in 2006, and September 1, 2009. Google disclosed the patent dispute settlement with Yahoo in a SEC filing just before its initial public offering (IPO). The relevant excerpt from Google’s SEC filing states:

Overture will dismiss its patent lawsuit against us and has granted us a fully-paid, perpetual license to the patent that was the subject of the lawsuit and several related patent applications held by Overture. The parties also mutually released any claims against each other concerning the warrant dispute. In connection with the settlement of these two disputes, we issued to Yahoo 2,700,000 shares of Class A common stock.

At the time of the patent settlement disclosure, 2.7 million shares of Google represented roughly 1 percent of the company.

It seems that just as Google was tidying up loose ends in their legal and commercial dominance of the search industry, they had plans to put their competitors in the uncomfortable position of having to answer to Google for design patent infringement. Knowing the incredible brain power that exists at Google, they are likely to have been working on all sorts of other ways to insure they will become an all powerful company, that might seem "evil" to some who Google chooses not to do business with.

At one point it seemed only a matter of time before Google owned Yahoo, but now it seems that Microsoft will own Yahoo, since Google will have enough control over the search industry to attract the scrutiny of antitrust regulators.

Google Breaks Advertising Deal with Yahoo

Nerd Grind — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:13:26 +0000

Google has announced that they are going back on the advertising deal made earlier this year with Yahoo. The deal was Yahoo’s effort to resist the hostile takeover that Microsoft was attempting by creating revenue through the display of Google ads on Yahoo sites.

The proposed deal did bring up countless antitrust questions from those within the Department of Justice. It has since been recognized as a way for Yahoo and Google to wave off and weaken Microsoft’s buying position, but now that Yahoo and Google have split for obvious legal reasons, what remains of Microsoft? Will they make another stab at Yahoo or will Yahoo attempt the impossible and merge with AOL for salvation of both companies.

Either way, it should prove interesting and we will keep you updated.

Yahoo! Rejects Microsoft Bid and Invites Google Bid

Nerd Grind — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 19:46:16 +0000

Microsoft made an offer to buy Yahoo!, but over the weekend Yahoo! rejected the offer saying they believe their stock is worth another $12 billion. However, last week as news hit the stock market Microsoft’s share value declined about the same price as they bid for Yahoo! Microsoft offered half cash, and half stock in their bid. Yahoo! is worried about retaining control over the new company, and Microsoft has said the MSN brand would be replaced by the Yahoo! brand, but Yahoo! still believes Google would be the better partner.

What’s really at stake? Years ago Yahoo! purchased Overture, which was a paid bid search engine out of Pasadena, California. Overture secured a patent for paid bid search advertising, and Yahoo! now owns that patent. If Microsoft were to purchase Yahoo!, then Microsoft would own that patent. Microsoft would then be in a better position to compete directly with, and to challenge Google’s control over the Internet advertising market. If Google were to purchase Yahoo!, then Google would become a monopoly in the Internet advertising industry, and government regulators may at that point step in to analyze exactly how Google’s ownership of Yahoo! might effect competition going forward.

Yahoo Suggest Search

Nerd Grind — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 22:16:09 +0000

Yahoo has launched a â€œsuggest searchâ€ feature that brings up a list with suggested search terms.It is not entirely new since it has been available on the Firefox Yahoo toolbar, but it will be new to Yahoo.com.

Google offers the same service with its Google Suggest.

Microsoft Utilizes It’s “Software Plus Services” strategy

Nerd Grind — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:57:28 +0000

Microsoft attempts to expand into the Internet to give a fully rounded system to its customers. The company will offer online services including e-mail and Web search under its Windows Live brand, as well test versions of two new free services: Windows Live Folders and Windows Live Photo Gallery.

Windows Live Photo Gallery is a new version of the photo application found on Microsoft’s two most recent operating systems, Windows XP and Windows Vista. It simplifies how people can share photos on their Windows Live Spaces site, Microsoft’s social networking platform.
The sharing feature of Microsoft’s new Photo Gallery is similar to how users can publish pictures from Apple Inc.’s iPhoto application to the company’s .Mac online service.

Microsoft’s effort might pay off in the next few months, but if it seriously expects to compete head-to-head with the likes of Google and Yahoo, then Microsoft might just find the whole experience a bit lacking.

Canon U.S.A. Offers Free Summer Workshops

Nerd Grind — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:35:09 +0000

Canon U.S.A. in encouraging its customers to take a walk outside and get some fresh air. And, of course, take lots of pictures. The company will be offering free workshops (that’s right, free) in Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks on selected dates throughout the summer.

Yosemite sessions will run from June 15-29, in Grand Canyon from July 9-29 and in Yellowstone from August 6 to the 12th.

Google Phone!?

Nerd Grind — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:37:23 +0000

Rumor has it, that with Apple and Cingular teaming up with the iPhone, Google wants in. A recent job opening posted on the Google Web site appears to confirm the company may now be tinkering with more than just an idea but with some real hardware in its engineering labs.

"Google is experimenting with a few wireless communications systems including some completely novel concepts," according to the Web-site recruitment text. "We are building a small team of top-notch Logic Designers and Analog Designers aimed at nothing less than making the entire world’s information accessible from anywhere for free."

"In the wake of Apple and some other big-name brands moving into the handset business, why not Google?" said Phil Taylor, senior analyst with Strategy Analytics Ltd.

But Google isn’t the only one. Yahoo Inc. has also been striking deals and offering search-engine services to their mobile phone customers and manufacturers interested in embedding search functions directly in their handsets, according to Taylor.

Google? Yahoo? Apple? All in one place at the same time? Besides the world imploding, this means good news for us Nerds. With the top brands and minds competing for our dollars, we could see a tech explosion that hasn’t been seen in the last 20 years! That’s not all folks, it would be for dirt cheap too!

Which means futuristic ideas and toys in our hands, because in order for these search engine giants to grab our attention, they would have to come out with such a novel and original idea that it will secure not only attention but create a niche in the mobile industry.

All I can say is hold on to your underpants, it’s going to be a wild ride!

NerdGrind - How-to Computer Help - Tutorials - Tech and Gadget News » Yahoo

Google Patents Search Box With Two Buttons

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