Open Source Software :: Forum

Chalk one up for the little guys!

The US Patent Office yesterday ordered a re-examination of the patent that was granted to BlackBoard for a variety of eLearning related "innovations". Lots has been written about Blackboards claims to have invented many of the commonly accepted features that most learning management systems have, and their subsequent law suit againt Canada's own Desire2Learn.

The really interesting turn about yesterday is that an application by a consortium of open-source LMSs (Moodle, ATutor, Sakai) was accepted and the USPO will re-examine BlackBoard's claims.

The pdf of the order is here...

http://www.softwarefreedom.org/publications/blackboard_reexam_order.pd