You can freely build on How Servers Combine Global and Local Content for Personalized Web Displays
This patent expired in 2017. Every claim — 0 independent, 0 dependent — is now unenforceable. Anyone can use, reproduce, manufacture, sell, or offer for sale this technology without a license.
Original assignee
Microsoft Corp
Patent granted
2000
Expired
2017
Forward citations
111
What this patent covers
The patent describes a system where a server acts as a hub to assemble a custom web page or media stream. It pulls 'global' content, such as a movie or a news feed, from a central source and mixes it with 'local' content, such as regional advertisements or language-specific subtitles, stored in a local database. The server then sends this combined package to the user's computer. For example, a user in Tokyo might receive the same global action movie as a user in New York, but the server would automatically inject Japanese subtitles or local store ads into the stream for the Tokyo user.
What is now free to use
All 0 claims of US 6122658 are in the public domain. Specifically:
The 0 dependent claims add narrowing limitations and are also free.
What is NOT covered
Patent expiry frees this specific invention. Separately-patented improvements made after expiry may still be protected.
Does not cover content personalization that happens entirely on the user's device (client-side rendering) without server-side integration.
Does not cover real-time user tracking or behavioral profiling based on individual browsing history.
Does not cover the specific algorithms used to select which local content is relevant to a user.
Who is building on this today
Major cloud infrastructure providers like Microsoft (Azure), Amazon (AWS), and Google Cloud have built extensive systems that refine the concepts of edge delivery and content integration described here. Modern streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube also utilize these principles to serve localized content at scale.
Products built on expired version of this technology
Localized video streaming services
Regionalized news portals
Targeted web advertising networks
Content delivery networks (CDNs)
How to cite this patent in your documentation
Microsoft Corp. US Patent 6122658. Custom localized information in a networked server for display to an end user. Granted 2000, expired 2017. Now in the public domain.
Note: This is a convenience citation. Consult a patent attorney for formal freedom-to-operate analysis.
PatentBrief is an educational resource and does not provide legal advice. Patent expiration information is derived from USPTO records and may not reflect continuation patents, divisional filings, or separately-patented improvements. For commercial use or production decisions, obtain a formal freedom-to-operate (FTO) opinion from a registered patent attorney.