The patent describes a "method and apparatus for automatically disseminating information over a network" in which any device can automatically deliver and update any type of information to or on, any other device on a network or the internet. The patented technology could cover many web-based subscription services.
Current subscription-based web services include virus updates, software updates/upgrades, business content (such as research reports, financial data), and consumer content (such as sports scores, weather, stocks, etc.).
As some vendors, most notably Microsoft, are beginning to distribute their software by means of a subscription service, they will, in some cases, need to upgrade that software by distributing new or updated code to subscribers. The patented technology covers this task.
Many large software companies, including Microsoft, have developed services for updating their software over the internet that could be affected by the new patent. However, Punch Networks has said that it does not intend to bring any issues arising out of the patent to court.