Microsoft Tries To Patent Smileys

I can't believe this is a real story, but apparently Microsoft has filed a patent with the United States Patent Office on Emoticons (also known as Smileys) If awarded, this could mean that any program, website, or e-mail that wants to say :-) or ;-) or :-o might have to pay Bill Gates money. In opinion, this is like trying to patent Spanish or Swahili. But then, the USPO has never been known for respecting logic over large gobs of money.