Facebook this week received a patent for the technology supports streaming of social network news feeds, raising questions over how the company will wield this new power.
Having the patent means Facebook could potentially do battle with any other social networking site that uses news feed technology. Analysts say Facebook could use the patent as leverage with rival sites, forcing competitors, for example, to license the technology or stop using it.
For now, Facebook's rivals will have to wait and see.
"Assuming good execution, this could be a gold mine," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at Enderle Group. "Facebook has the potential to gain the kind of power that Microsoft and Google enjoy. They have a long and dangerous path to get there, but with this, they are getting closer to that potential.... This is one of those events that can truly define an emerging company and change it from an interesting niche player to a major industry power."
More: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9162978/
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Having the patent means Facebook could potentially do battle with any other social networking site that uses news feed technology. Analysts say Facebook could use the patent as leverage with rival sites, forcing competitors, for example, to license the technology or stop using it.
For now, Facebook's rivals will have to wait and see.
"Assuming good execution, this could be a gold mine," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at Enderle Group. "Facebook has the potential to gain the kind of power that Microsoft and Google enjoy. They have a long and dangerous path to get there, but with this, they are getting closer to that potential.... This is one of those events that can truly define an emerging company and change it from an interesting niche player to a major industry power."
More: http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9162978/
