Apple Sued for Online Store 'Add-to-Cart' System

Clear With Computers (CWC), a Texas-based company, has filed a patent suit against Apple and HP alleging that they are infringing its 1994 patent related to a system that says customers can sign in electronically and "build a list of products or parts from a form." The patent also includes the provider's ability to update the product list from time to time.

Sounds like just another company that felt a small boost of image was in order.

"The Electronic Proposal Preparation System patent and the Computer-Assisted Parts Sales Method patent were issued to CWC in 1997 and 1994, respectively, for computer-based techniques to propose and complete the sale of multiple parts in a single order," CBR Online reveals. Yes, this company is crying that Apple and HP have "stolen" its add-to-cart method of selling things proposed more than a decade ago.

First of all, Apple and HP aren't the only ones (ebay and Amazon are the kings of add-to-cart). Second of all, isn't this just standard issue e-commerce?! Come on people, enough with the stupid patents! At the rate things are evolving (involving, really) Neanderthals could claim infringement on catching a fish with your bare hands.

As explained in court documents filed in the Texas Eastern court this week, the case alleges HP and Apple infringe the CWC-held United States Patent No. 5,615,342, entitled "Electronic Proposal Preparation System." The patent was issued on March 25, 1997. The US Patent No. 5,367,627, "Computer-Assisted Parts Sales Method" was issued on November 22, 1994.

Ever notice how these patents tend to be so ambiguous that you don't even make the difference between a universal recipe for things and a discovery, or an invention? Don't get me wrong, we're not taking any sides here. For all we know, Apple and HP really could infringe CWC's patent by as little as using two words together the same way CWC did back in 1994. But whoever holds the truth, ambiguous patents such as this one should be banned... or patented.