Despite Microsoft lodging two patents for technology related to Really Simple Syndication (RSS), the company “honestly hope(s) that (its) work brings benefit to all feed publishers, developers and users”, according to Sean Lyndersay, RSS program manager lead at Microsoft.

The patents were lodged on 21 June 2005, and were just made public last week. RSS support was announced that it was building RSS support into Internet Explorer just days afterwards.

The patents cover “finding and consuming web subscriptions in a web browser” and “a content syndication platform”, which is taken to mean a process by which RSS feeds can be accessed by different types of applications.

Writing on the Microsoft Team RSS log Lyndersay was keen to point out that in filing these patents Microsoft was not attempting claim that it invented RSS:

“These patents describe specific ways to improve the RSS end-user and developer experience (which we believe are valuable and innovative contributions) … we have always fully acknowledged the innovators and supporters of RSS, like Dave Winer, Nick Bradbury and many others, and I can say, without hesitation, that I and my colleagues personally have the deepest respect for their invaluable contributions.”

Lyndersay also pointed out that Microsoft had made contributions to the RSS community:

“From the beginning we have sought an open and reasonable relationship with the RSS community. As one example, we have published various RSS and Atom extensions under a Creative Commons license. These specifications provide proof of our commitment to offer our contributions to the community and evidence of our efforts to advance the technology. We honestly hope that our work brings benefit to all feed publishers, developers and users, and we’ve been happy with the response we have received from the community so far.

Lyndersay pointed out that other companies, like Apple and Google, have also applied in the RSS space”

“Applying for a patent on your innovation is common industry practice, and one which, by incenting and protecting the companies and people involved, encourages everyone to contribute to the community.”

Concerns abound about Microsoft’s true intentions when it comes to RSS. Microsoft has a reputation for embracing standards, extending them, and then taking them over.

What’s different about this particular situation is that thanks to Microsoft embracing the blogosphere, and allowing middle management to blog, there’s a very public record about the company’s stated objectives.

It will be interesting to see whether this transparency is real, and whether Microsoft conducts itself honorably. If not it will look to many people as though Microsoft is benefiting from the work, done in good faith, by members of the RSS community.

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Entry was posted on Thursday, December 28th, 2006 at 3:15 am under Internet, Microsoft, Technology, Web2.0.

Read more entries by John Pospisil.
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