Microsoft and the Smiley Patent

A fine write-up from Groklaw as always.  (Includes the patent link.)
Unfortunately, there's prior art.  Or maybe this is where trademark law and patent law collide?!?! Maybe we need the Supreme Court to decide who and what is right. 

Actually, this is where Microsoft's head of intellectual property strategy needs to spank the lawyers for wasting his budget and review the internal process as to when they get called.  Really.  How much shareholder money was spent on this application and to what end?

"Move along.  It's just an accident.  Nothing to see here folks.  Move along."

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