Many prognosticators have foreseen a great war–a battle for world domination. These soothsayers have named Wal-Mart, Google, and Starbucks as the most powerful of the behemoths that will be involved. And in a move that is not likely to ensure victory, or even confer an advantage, Wal-Mart is staking out a powerful claim by attempting to patent the humble smiley.
Microsoft Unearths The First Smiley
Love them or hate them, emoticons have been in use for a long time online; younger users may be surprised to find out just how long that’s been.