And yet another sordid chapter in software patents begins, as Winksite files suit in Manhattan federal court for  infringment of yet another highly vague software patent, this time over using a mobile phone to connect to social websites.

Winksite, which I had never heard of until yesterday (and I bet you didn’t either), describes itself as:

Winksite is a leading mobile content management and social networking software company whose solutions connect publishers to their audiences and audience members to each other.

Typical marketroid prattle.  What do they really do?  Looks like they push their templated WAP site engine.  Which is great, more power to them — enabling users to effectively port their content to the mobile web is something i can get behind 100%.  Not that I would use these guys to do it, but not everyone is up to the task of building a CMS recipe to push their content out in a phone-friendly template.  Unfortunately, their tech is starting to look a bit dated, as is every WAP site these days.  Time marches on.

They also sue it seems. In this case, over US Patent #7,599,983 “Method, apparatus and system for management of information content for enhanced accessibility over wireless communication networks”.

Abstract:

Information content is managed in a network-based communication system by providing a content management site accessible to a user of the system. The content management site is configured so as to permit the user to enter information in accordance with a specified format comprising a plurality of selectable mobile information channels each corresponding to an information category. The entered information is processed to generate for the user a mobile site comprising information content that is accessible via one or more mobile devices over a wireless network of the system. The information content of the mobile site is preferably configured so as to integrate therewith information associated with at least one messaging action, collaboration action, location-based service action, or other wireless networking functionality of the wireless network.

Which then goes on for several pages, describing basic CMS functionality, things like public / private pages, messaging, account signups, event listings, etc.  Oh and there’s flowcharts, including lovely line-art of clouds with “INTERNET” and “MOBILE NETWORK” written in the middle (Fig 1A over to the right.) Then we have a bunch of pages cosisting of basic UI wireframes, more flowcharts, and great stuff that no one has ever thought of before, that is entirely not-obvious, and is completely worthy of patent protection, well, at least since they put the word “mobile” in front of them.

I knew i should have patented each and every one of the wireframes that I’ve designed over the years!

Honestly, I hope Google and Facebook crush this.  And then crush each other’s software patents too.