From the WFT? department… a company in Singapore is claiming that they own a patent for linking to other web pages by way of an image, and is trying to extort money from companies whose websites use that method (which is very common, and was enshrined in the HTML specifications well over a decade ago).

This is about as ridiculous as demanding licensing fees on any usage of the number three. I don’t understand why anyone would bother… the answer to this kind of thing is simple. Ignore any demands from the company claiming the patent. What are they going to do, sue you and get their patent invalidated for their troubles (not to mention opening themselves up to any countersuits that anyone can come up with)? I think they’re relying on the fact that a certain percentage of people will always give in to intimidation and pay them regardless of how ludicrous the claim is.