Facebook vs. Yahoo: Patent Wars in Full Swing

Until recently, patent battles were sweeping the world of consumer electronics – the wars between Apple and Samsung are still ongoing, with lawsuits between the two companies ongoing in various countries. Earlier this year, Yahoo and Facebook also joined the ranks of patent bullies.

Yahoo initially sued Facebook, accusing the social network of infringing 10 patents. Facebook countersued with similar claims. Facebook didn't back down or give in, as Google did in 2004. Yahoo then accused the world's largest search engine of infringing its patents, and did so on the eve of its IPO. Google found no better option than to pay Yahoo a substantial stake in its stock. Facebook chose a bold and, according to many experts, the most effective defense against Yahoo's claims.

Market experts believe that Yahoo's attempt to go to court or settle the case out of court could have led to further patent trolling.

Many analysts believe Facebook could have sued Yahoo for not just ten but numerous other patents, but Facebook chose not to become a patent troll and imitate its dishonest counterpart. This suggests that while Facebook didn't initiate this battle, the company is prepared to take up arms to end it.

Here's a list of the main patents that Facebook and Yahoo are suing over. According to the authors,material on TechCrunchIn all but one patent, Facebook's position is stronger or comparable to Yahoo's.

1. Create a stream of personalized stories for social network participants

The patent describes systems and methods for generating dynamic relationships based on personalized content for social network members. According to Facebook representatives, Yahoo is using this patent to display the latest activity of group members on pages. Here, users can see personalized content based on their contact list.

Yahoo has a patent for "Dynamic Page Generator," which technically covers virtually all instances of personalized web content. However, Facebook's patent is much more specific when considering user relationships as the primary factor in content selection.

2. Markup in digital media

This patent describes tagging. This feature appeared on Facebook in 2009. Flickr has a "People on" feature. Yahoo has no equivalent for this Facebook patent.

3. Algorithm for publishing the main content

This patent describes a method for sorting and selecting content to publish content that best suits the interests of users.

Facebook obtained this patent by acquiring Dunkle, a company that invented such a selection system and used it for publication on its social network HealthScout.

According to Facebook, all Yahoo homepages that use the Content Optimization and Relevance Engine (C.O.R.E) infringe this patent. The patent specifically addresses the process by which users select the content categories they would like to see and receive updates about.

4. Method of information retrieval based on a set of specified elements

This patent describes the creation of "agents" that reflect the preferences of the users they represent. These tools can be used to predict which advertisements or content will be most relevant to the user, and then display such advertisements or content to the user.

Facebook claims that ads on Yahoo News and Flickr infringe the patent.

5. Setting up a presentation database by selecting media content

The patent covers the provision of contextual information alongside multimedia content. Depending on users' listed interests, they may see different information. For example, next to a U2 song, users might see the latest news about the band's members, while those interested in technology might see descriptions of the band's equipment.

Facebook uses similar technology to show friends who have interacted with content or ads. Facebook claims that ads on Yahoo and Flickr infringe this patent.

6. System and method for dynamic user profiling to provide recommendations

These three patents define the combination of static and biographical data with his interests and the subsequent content displayed to him.

This technology can be used to determine how users will respond to different types of advertising.

Facebook officials say Yahoo ads also infringe on those patents.

7. System for monitoring the distribution of profiles over the network

These patents define the capabilities of "friending" users—adding them as "friends"—and ways to customize profile access for users with different relationships.

Facebook uses this technology to customize privacy settings for posts and user profiles. According to Facebook representatives, the sharing system...