Today Facebook was awarded a patent for “ranking search results based on the frequency of clicks on the search results by members of a social network who are within a predetermined degree of separation”. The patent, which was first filed by in 2004, emphasizes that Facebook has been working on a number of algorithms to improve their search results, one of which is a tool that Google employs in their own search results: the number of clicks.
The emphasis of this search patent is also on social in that individuals are “within a predetermined degree of separation”. This would probably be the single differentiation from Google who uses other tools to track clicks and repeat searches queries. While Facebook has a long way to go in improving their search, it has become a common belief that social search, and more importantly, the feed, hold the key to unlock the next search revolution.
Facebook also believes that this could be the answer, which why they are protecting their assets with patents such as this new one. While Facebook may not necessarily have the intent to pursue legal action against competitors (aside from the recent spate of trademark suits), Twitter and others can now technically not use clicks combined with degrees of separation to determine the relevance of information, without exposing themselves to this new risk.
You can read the entire patent here which was first pointed out by GoRumors.
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How the fuck can you patent such a simple concept? This is the kinda shit that holds back the human race.
Comment by Jen — August 31, 2010 @ 11:31 am
Yeah, because Facebook has shown that it actually cares about the progress of humanity and not its own bottom line, right?
Comment by Galen — August 31, 2010 @ 3:58 pm
Plenty more crap patents where that came from: http://www.ipexl.com/share/974fe7e7ec3c1fdb936a3f...
For example: 'Displaying demographic information of members discussing topics in a forum' and more.
Now we wonder if the rest of the world should follow New Zealand's example and revoke/ban software patents?
Unless of course the invention is REALLY novel and meets the criteria of "non-obviousness to those skilled in the art for which the invention relates to." Which I doubt most software patents are.
Comment by Mark — August 31, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
I love it how all these people are commenting from their facebook accounts.
Comment by Anonymous — September 3, 2010 @ 11:50 am
This patent is ridiculous. It's a hit parade. Researchers and others have been been organising data by "popularity" and publishing it for decades. This is yet another US patent for a concept that's already widely used.
Comment by sizzler — September 5, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
With Facebook's new search patent quietly encroaching on Google's territory, there seems to be little doubt that Facebook and Google will eventually become tied up in patent litigation that could reach epic proportions. But if things resolve themselves as usual, the end result will probably be something like this: cross-licensing agreements, a settlement, and increased (if indirect) costs to consumers.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703...
Comment by patent litigation — September 6, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
If the patent is that obvious – sue Facebook and invalidate the patent. Why not, ladies?
Comment by stranger — October 12, 2010 @ 4:58 am