The news that McAfee has been granted a patent on its technology and
business model for delivering software as a service through Web browsers
has created lot of commotion in the IT industry. According to a few observers,
the Patent is too broad ancd may cover the system of delivery of software
through Internet and affect all ASP type services.
It is clear that ASP Model is the future of IT. Delivery of software
through the Internet Installation, Updation and remote servicing
are aspects that have already become the basic charecter of the insustry.
It is not conceivable how this can be a subject matter of a Patent. It
would be like a Patent for a "System or a Device for moving on the
road on circular shaped devices powered by mechanical or physical force",
which could be a description for an automobile or a Bicycle.
Fortunately, Mcafee has not been arrogant like some of the otehr Patent
holders of basic technology and its CEO Srivats Sampath has stated that the patent was obtained
defensively in an attempt to protect McAfee's intellectual property for
the future. The ASP model isn't covered by the patent because it relates
specifically to McAfee's offerings of security services, he added.
Knowing the way some of the other Patent holders have behaved in the
recent past, the need to patent a technology just for "Defending one's
own business" cannot be disputed. We have to accept this statement of the
Company at face value for the time being and watch further developments.
we hope that Mcafee would not go the Amazon way in antagonizing the public
with an unfair use of the Patent as it could hurt the progress of the Company
inspite of the best of technology and services.
Related Article in IDG.net
Naavi
August 16 2001
