Amex Files Patent for "Transferring Value via a Social Network"

[pikapay]

We're curious about what others here think of this patent application.

I know they can't do anything about Bitcoin itself, but it does sound like Amex is trying to file a patent for our service. What should we do?


US Patent Request 20140006297 filed on July 2, 2013

An integrated, end-to-end, automated system that
enables a first social networking user to seamlessly
transfer value to a second social networking user, even if
the second user is not registered with the money transfer
service from which the first user initiates the transfer...

Our service:

PikaPay.com

Send Bitcoins to anyone on Twitter, as easy as a Tweet!

PikaPay is a Bitcoin wallet integrated with the Twitter API and is one of the easiest ways to use Bitcoin. Just like in the Amex patent, with PikaPay the recipient doesn't need to have a PikaPay account to receive bitcoins.

We were the first to start sending bitcoins on Twitter back in 2011. But we're sure that scores of other companies have been doing "value transfer via social networks" even earlier.
Do we have to take that Amex patent application seriously in any way, and is there anything specific we should do?

We Tweeted AmEx a little while ago.

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[AmericanBit]

I would advertise more. Ive never heard of Pikapay, and its not a great name for the service in my opinion. Tippercoin gets all the press lately, and by the name you can kind of tell what they do.   http://www.coindesk.com/tippercoin-co-founder-bitcoin-interview/

[pedrog]

An integrated, end-to-end, automated system that
enables a first social networking user to seamlessly
transfer value to a second social networking user, even if
the second user is not registered with the money transfer
service from which the first user initiates the transfer...

Doesn't this describes how the Reddit bitcointip bot operates?

[pikapay]

Yes, Reddit's Bitcoin bot also falls into this category.  Even outside of Bitcoin there are many services that work the same way.

[empoweoqwj]

Please don't post "news" and then a massive advert for your site in the same post. Its not cool, sorry.

[pikapay]

Please don't post "news" and then a massive advert for your site in the same post. Its not cool, sorry.

Good point. Just overlooked that, thanks. I reduced the size so you can still see the Tweet.  Is that better?

Someone recently suggested we get a lawyer and file our own patent.  Good advice?

[AmericanBit]

Please don't post "news" and then a massive advert for your site in the same post. Its not cool, sorry.

Good point. Just overlooked that, thanks. I reduced the size so you can still see the Tweet.  Is that better?

Someone recently suggested we get a lawyer and file our own patent.  Good advice?

I would say that is a big waste of money. Patents cost about 30k and you cant take on Amex

[empoweoqwj]

Please don't post "news" and then a massive advert for your site in the same post. Its not cool, sorry.

Good point. Just overlooked that, thanks. I reduced the size so you can still see the Tweet.  Is that better?

Someone recently suggested we get a lawyer and file our own patent.  Good advice?

Was it a lawyer that suggested that?

[AmericanBit]

Please don't post "news" and then a massive advert for your site in the same post. Its not cool, sorry.

Good point. Just overlooked that, thanks. I reduced the size so you can still see the Tweet.  Is that better?

Someone recently suggested we get a lawyer and file our own patent.  Good advice?

Was it a lawyer that suggested that?

+1

[guybrushthreepwood]

Please don't post "news" and then a massive advert for your site in the same post. Its not cool, sorry.

Good point. Just overlooked that, thanks. I reduced the size so you can still see the Tweet.  Is that better?

Someone recently suggested we get a lawyer and file our own patent.  Good advice?

Was it a lawyer that suggested that?

+1

Lol sneaky bastards they are. I'm not sure you could even get a patent for this anyway. Wont it be rejected?

[prophetx]

Please don't post "news" and then a massive advert for your site in the same post. Its not cool, sorry.

Good point. Just overlooked that, thanks. I reduced the size so you can still see the Tweet.  Is that better?

Someone recently suggested we get a lawyer and file our own patent.  Good advice?

Was it a lawyer that suggested that?

+1

Lol sneaky bastards they are. I'm not sure you could even get a patent for this anyway. Wont it be rejected?

you know at these big companies these people have to somehow justify their jobs.

guys i own copyrights to this entire thread, i'll be expecting my royalty checks in the mail.

[2dogs]

Please don't post "news" and then a massive advert for your site in the same post. Its not cool, sorry.

Good point. Just overlooked that, thanks. I reduced the size so you can still see the Tweet.  Is that better?

Someone recently suggested we get a lawyer and file our own patent.  Good advice?

I would.  Your idea is worth fighting for, IMO.

[empoweoqwj]

Please don't post "news" and then a massive advert for your site in the same post. Its not cool, sorry.

Good point. Just overlooked that, thanks. I reduced the size so you can still see the Tweet.  Is that better?

Someone recently suggested we get a lawyer and file our own patent.  Good advice?

I would.  Your idea is worth fighting for, IMO.

What idea is that?

[pikapay]

PikaPay.com Though of course that's not our only idea.