Aug. 1, 2006 18:13
BlackBoard Sues Desire2Learn
Posted by JohnPMayer under [ General , Cyberculture , blackboard ][ (3) Comment ] | [ (0) Trackbacks ]
The Inquirer has the PDF (no story yet) of the law suit filed by BlackBoard on July 26, 2006 (same day they got their patent) for patent infringement. So much for goodwill, it's going to be war and Desire2Learn is the front line.
This lawsuite has huge ramifications for the educational community - NOT just he ed-tech crowd either. On the front page of BlackBoard's website is this blurb...
"...The Blackboard Academic Suite™ enables institutions to embrace the full power of the Internet with access to any learning resource at any time from any place..."
They should probably add a qualifier now. How can you access the "full power of the Internet" if you are dealing with litigation fears and limitations of choice as a result?
This is just plain bad for everyone including BlackBoard and they really should re-think their strategy.
03/08/2006, 16:16
I agree there should be a group of people interested in supporting organizations against BB's attempt at legal action. When I read this patent I knew the path they were taking and it would only be a matter to time before the lawyers starting sending out letters. I'm sorry to say I was right.
02/08/2006, 20:40
There is plenty of difference. Moodle's trademark doesn't stop everyone else from writing or using course management systems, BlackBoard's patent might.
I don't completely understand the point you were trying to make.
02/08/2006, 18:37
And the ethical difference between patents and trademarks is?....
http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=48528
and here:
http://groups.google.com.br/group/sf-uk-discuss/br owse_thread/thread/60b321aba956fcdd/c634155509923a cb?lnk=raot