http://technology.nzoom.com/2000/06/21/00027407.htm
Interesting article, here's a little snip off it:
Several US based ISP's received letters in the mail from British Telecom requesting that they pay royalties for using hyperlinks last week.
British Telecom claims it patented the hyperlink in 1989, and has tolerated the royalty-free use of the technology up until now.