Microsoft has filed two patent applications related to RSS, sparking fears that Microsoft is trying to claim that they have invented RSS. Microsoft’s applications were published on the web last week by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The applications can be found here and here.

However, the program manager of Microsoft’s RSS efforts (Sean Lyndersay) has said in his blog that such fears are unfounded, and that Microsoft is always looking for an open and reasonable relationship with the RSS community. “These specifications provide proof of our commitment to offer our contributions to the community and evidence of our efforts to advance the technology,” he said. His response is available here.