A company called VoloMedia announced yesterday that they have been awarded a U.S. Patent for podcasting.  The referenced patent was issued on July 28, 2009, and is titled Method for Providing Episodic Media Content.

In the press release, VoloMedia explains that although today’s podcasting is currently 100% RSS-based, their newly awarded patent covers all episodic media downloads, covering endless potential technological advances in the future for episodic media content.  While they claim a desire to continue to work collaboratively with key participants in the industry, the press release carries an undercurrent of warning to uncooperative players.  Specifically the wording “we would expect new entrants into the podcasting arena to have a collaborative relationship with VoloMedia.”   Watch out Hulu, they specifically pinpoint you as a possible future infringer!

In addition, the press release mentions this is just a first in a series of expected patents VoloMedia anticipates in their issuance pipeline.  It will be interesting to see what comes out next.