[snowsislander]

filed a patent for software which helped transfer data between Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft's Access database using a single spreadsheet

I think Microsoft was likely right: this patent sounds bogus.

On the face of it, transferring data from a spreadsheet to a relational database via a spreadsheet is about the most obvious thing that one can think of. I haven't read this patent, and maybe there is something a little deeper to it, but from a first sniff, it doesn't pass the smell test.

[tahotdog]

I'd agree.

[Gorzaloon]

filed a patent for software which helped transfer data between Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft's Access database using a single spreadsheet I think Microsoft was likely right: this patent sounds bogus.

He filed a patent that uses Microsoft's intellectual property to access Microsoft's intellectual property. Did they say the patent ISSUED?

[Smartaleck]

"I haven't read this patent, and maybe there is something a little deeper to it, but from a first sniff, it doesn't pass the smell test."

Only difference between a spreadsheet and data base is the format/presentation....it's all the same data.

[ShadowAce]

...but from a first sniff, it doesn't pass the smell test.

Which is why, or course, that after a trial, examining the evidence, and hearing arguments from both sides, the court disagrees with you.

[Always Right]

I think Microsoft was likely right: this patent sounds bogus.

True, but how many people did Microsoft copy ideas from to get where they are at? Most of what Microsoft has are stolen ideas from other companies that they either improved upon or out marketed or out muscled them.

[N3WBI3]

I think Microsoft was likely right: this patent sounds bogus.

I think so too, but then again I think all software patents longer than two years are bogus..