The patent describes a "method and apparatus for automatically
disseminating information over a network" in which any device can
automatically deliver and update any type of information to or on,
any other device on a network or the internet. The patented
technology could cover many web-based subscription services.
Current subscription-based web services include virus updates,
software updates/upgrades, business content (such as research
reports, financial data), and consumer content (such as sports
scores, weather, stocks, etc.).
As some vendors, most notably Microsoft, are beginning to
distribute their software by means of a subscription service, they
will, in some cases, need to upgrade that software by distributing
new or updated code to subscribers. The patented technology covers
this task.
Many large software companies, including Microsoft, have
developed services for updating their software over the internet
that could be affected by the new patent. However, Punch Networks
has said that it does not intend to bring any issues arising out of
the patent to court.
