crobb305 - 4:24 am on Aug 4, 2009 (gmt 0)

This scenario is part of what concerns me about one of the patent points being discussed in this thread [webmasterworld.com]. One of the points mentions spikes in backlinks:

[0075] A spike in BACKLINKS can mean two things - a suddenly hot topic, or an attempt to spam.

So, spammy submissions of this sort made by competitors might certainly be seen as "spikes" and might be a vehicle to sabbotage rankings, IMO. Tedster, do you see this as a valid threat and possible flaw in the patent point? (I ask, because you were the author of that thread and I imagine you have given this some thought during your analysis). BTW, I am reading some of your comments further up, and you may have already answered my question.