Patents

Gaming Nintendo’s attempt to patent a core combat mechanic is drawing heavy criticism — and legal experts say it may not hold up.

Legacy In 1968 Martin Goetz secured a patent for data-sorting mainframe software beginning the market for third-party software, and we remember his legacy in his passing.

Patent Assertion Entities (PAEs), also known as "patent trolls," are a problem for open-source software providers. Microsoft's getting involved in stopping said trolls.

Cortana could one day summarize your emails for you when you can't stop to look at a screen.

A new patent shows a potential Surface Book device featuring a writing Surface either next to the trackpad or on the back of the keyboard.

Would you miss them?

A new Microsoft patent shows how a future Surface Pro could prevent the Type Cover from flopping open in tablet mode with magnets.

A new Microsoft patent could signal a fingerprint sensor is headed to the Windows key on your keyboard.

A new Microsoft patent describes an eye tracking system that could make for a unique addition to HoloLens 2.

A new Microsoft patent for touch-sensitive fabrics could wind up making the Alcantara fabric on your Surface much more functional.