I understand that the University of California, through a spinoff company is suing Microsoft for royalties over their patent for:

"JavaScript that runs when you click on it."

This appears similar to a patent on "things that turn on when you turn on the turn-on switch."

As a result Microsoft plans to change IE and virtually all associated programs so that you will have to click to enable JavaScript and then click again to run the script. A "video conference" with affected "Partner" organizations within the past couple of days explained that all web pages using JavaScript or XML "active function" coding will need to be rewritten to permit individual users to access them as before, once the "fix" is issued to users.

An example given was that in Real Player when your mouse approaches the volume control you'll be shown a "hint" flag that says "Click here to adjust volume," which you will have to do before you can click there to adjust the volume.

The French apparently also have passed their prohibition on proprietary formats for music downloads, thus forcing Apple to withdraw all French marketing of iPods and iPod content. Details remain vague...

Maybe I could patent my idea about equipping vehicles with wheels that rotate when the vehicle moves. (?).

John