For some reason I can't imagine having anything to do with NetFlix, ever. Actually that reason would be the fact that they seem to be raving mad, and not in a good way either. This slight image problem has developed because they appear to be suing Blockbuster for copying their business plan. Now I'm not exactly a fan of Blockbuster but this just seems stupid.

NetFlix are actually suing to enforce two patents. They claims their first patent covers the way customers select films, get them sent out and return them after viewing - because there's no prior art for posting things! Patent number two apparently covers the way customers can change the order they want to watch films and the fact that they can keep them indefinitely without extra fee - the latter because customers pay a subscription which was never, ever done before NetFlix.

Now the cynic in me suggests that NetFlix did well when they started but now the big boys are in on the game they're finding Joe on the street would prefer to rent from a company they've heard off; especially since the Internet is full of evil people. Time to roll out the patents fellas!

Aside from the now standard lament over just what the US Patent Office will approve who at NetFlix actually feels that trying to crush Blockbuster in court with this joke will work? Even if you argue they're doing it to raise public awareness of their service they just come out looking like morons so it's not exactly going to save the company now is it? So this move means one thing only, how long before NetFlix either close their doors or sell up? I'll certainly be impressed if they enter 2007 still trading as they are today.