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"Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and seven executives of the web company have been awarded a patent that protects the site's social news feed.  It is still unclear how this might affect other sites with similar features like Google and Twitter." (mysmartrend.com)

After a four-year wait, Facebook finally has the power of the patent behind its news feed. And tech experts say the social networking giant may now be in a position to dominate the market.  

We're looking at perspectives from SmarTrend, Computer World, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider and others.  

A market analyst tells Computer World he believes this could secure Facebook as a leading online presence.

"Facebook has the potential to gain the kind of power that Microsoft and Google enjoy... This is one of those events that can truly define an emerging company and change it from an interesting niche player to a major industry power."

Analysts at The Wall Street Journal are more hesitant, saying the patent is only a major development if it can be enforced.  

SAVITZ: "Facebook will want to defend its intellectual property in some way or another.  The question will be how aggressive they are about trying to seek royalties."

ANGWIN: "I think it's worth pointing out too that Friendster patented the model of social networking and having profiles and they were never able to enforce it, so, you know, these things can be empty threats sometimes."

Business Insider says even if Facebook does enforce the patent, the impact won't be that big.  

"At worst, if the patent stands up, and Google and Twitter are deemed to be directly violating it, Facebook will get a new source of capital, which will likely be dealt with with a one-time cash or stock payment."

Forbes is also urging the online community to "stay calm," saying Facebook is trying to intentionally hype up the situation.  

"One reason why it might be overblown is the fact that Facebook isn't saying anything.  And this is not new, Facebook never says anything and that's why Nick O'Neill's finding was such a big deal in the first place.  But I think they're allowing people to kind of trump up the significance of this."

So is the Facebook patent a significant development?  

Writer: Ben Stewart

Producer: Newsy Staff