Microsoft Tries to Patent Phylogenetics

According to an article in Science this week, Microsoft has basically tried to patent phylogenetics, with their application, Clustering Phylogenetics Variation Pattern. None of the broadly written claims in the patent application are novel, and most have been used by scientists for nearly two decades. I think Joe Felsenstein should walk over to Redmond and hit them with a cluestick or at least throw his book at them.

Many systematics blogs have weighed in on this application: Kevin Zelino, Dechronization, Myrmecos, and John Hawkes, to name a few.