A comment to ".. mysql replication to heterogeneous database".  Isn't a slave of a multi-master MySQL replication setup (what I understand is possible with GTIDs at least) a 'heterogeneous database' as well?

I can only agree that the new discovery/technology that justifies (if it does) a patent grant is not easy to see. And terms used in the document are not all well-defined either IMO. 

Besides much of the document is just a rewrite/quote of MySQL documentation (such as http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.5/en/data-types.html for instance).

-- Peter