Or so Cingular thinks, anyway.

http://www.cellular-news.com/story/15792.php

The link came from Slashdot, so I tend to believe that this isn't bogus. What kind of bullshit patent is that? No one person invented the idea of the 'emoticon', and I can bet that Cingular didn't play a role in it.

Hey, it had been several years since I'd heard someone patented emoticons. Glad this came up - I was starting to worry.

Next thing you know they'll nerf J-Boots.

Bard run speed was deffinitely ninja nerfed in the last patch.. . .

Are they serious? :D :p :) :o :(

Supposedly Fildien. You owe them 500000 dollars now.

...and I'm tellin'!

Oh nooooooooooooooooooooooo! :(

They subpoenaed us for your information, Fildien. I gave them everything. See you in 5-10.

son of a

Damn you Sanchek!

:mad:

You're up to $700,000 now...

Update
It has been pointed out to us that this is a patent application at the moment - the patent has not yet been formally granted.
There is hope Fil!

Well, if they don't have a patent yet, he'll be ok. It's not like they can sue people for using emoticons in the past, at least I hope the hell not. I'd be screwed...

Ex-pos facto, I doubt they could sue so many people who have used them in the past, because the number would be off the wall. Still, if they managed that, they'd be filthy rich. Richer than oil barons rich.