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Author Topic: And the patent ridiculousness just goes on and on....  (Read 2060 times)

Offline Paddy

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And the patent ridiculousness just goes on and on....
« on: August 24, 2012, 11:45:53 AM »
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Offline gunug

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And the patent ridiculousness just goes on and on....
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2012, 12:45:17 PM »
I almost was rolling on the floor of my car yesterday when I heard (on NPR) about the guy who apparently holds the patents on thin slicing beef (Steakemms) and chunking chicken (Chicken Nuggets).  Where would we be without these important discoveries???   whistling.gif  I'd actually like to see cellphones (all of them) banned so maybe my wife wouldn't be in danger of a high speed wreck in a local parking lot. . .from a fifty something idiot who couldn't stop talking on the cellphone!
« Last Edit: August 24, 2012, 12:49:39 PM by gunug »
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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And the patent ridiculousness just goes on and on....
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2012, 03:49:38 PM »
Wait! Is the Samsung phone really bigger? Or is it just that the hand holding it is closer to the camera? Or are two different people holding them? Or has someone patented larger hands based on left/right handedness? Or... flail.gif

I heard that report this morning also, gunug. Although, I must say, listening to a knife chopping something left a lot to the imagination... How do we know he was really chopping chicken? And I kept waiting to hear that this was the guy who created SPAM! OTOH, I'm not sure anyone would admit to that without a good deal of torture... laughhard.gif   scram.gif
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Offline tacit

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And the patent ridiculousness just goes on and on....
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2012, 04:53:14 PM »
QUOTE(Paddy @ Aug 24 2012, 04:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
http://www.thestar.com/business/sciencetec...-for-u-s-to-ban

Please, someone, make it stop. losemarbles.gif


I keep going back and forth on whether the patent wars going on in IT are ridiculous or not.

On the one hand, patents are supposed to be awarded for things that are novel, useful, and non-obvious. It seems that a lot of patents fail the "non-obvious" test, and more than a few are being awarded for things that are not novel. I'm especially skeptical about the idea of software patents. And there's no doubt that patents, which are supposed to be used to spur invention by giving people the ability to profit from their inventions, can also be used as a blunt instrument to prevent other people from competing.

And don't even get me started on patents for things that are necessary industry standards. Seems to me that if a company submits something as an industry standard, they should relinquish their patent on it.

On the other hand, I look at the way cell phones used to be before the iPhone. We had an amazing range of radically different cell phones in all kinds of different form factors. Flip phones. Those cool slider phones they used in The Matrix. Phones that unfolded vertically.

Nowadays, nearly all smart phones have the same form factor and look the same, right down to the rounded corners. Samsung phones, the HTC Sensation in my pocket, LG phones...with the exception of BlackBerries, they all look pretty much the same. That tells me that yes, people really are copying Apple; it's not like a smart phone HAS to have that form factor!
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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And the patent ridiculousness just goes on and on....
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2012, 05:36:32 PM »
One might say things are "patently absurd!" Maybe they're just "absurdly patented!"

But one might then get sued?! Or at least banished for making such a bad pun? yes.gif Groaner.gif scram.gif

It's certainly fueled the Fandroid and Apple-hater crowds. rolleyes.gif
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Offline krissel

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And the patent ridiculousness just goes on and on....
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2012, 02:43:56 AM »
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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And the patent ridiculousness just goes on and on....
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2012, 09:12:29 AM »
Not a 'different' form, actually it's the same old "vapor" form. rolleyes.gif Some of the things have already been suggested, like the tactile feedback function. That could be handy for keyboards and especially braille displays. Not sure what use the flexibility would enhance. dntknw.gif A smaller screen seems a step backward... I suppose one would soon figure out which way is 'up' for the 'thing,' unless it uses the 'standard' used now; up is whatever is highest. wink.gif
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THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
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And the United States = The Banana system
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Offline gunug

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And the patent ridiculousness just goes on and on....
« Reply #7 on: August 28, 2012, 10:22:23 AM »
I think it kind of looks like a remote control that has been reworked by Salvador Dalí; but let's see it in the world before we patent it!
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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And the patent ridiculousness just goes on and on....
« Reply #8 on: August 28, 2012, 11:09:34 AM »
QUOTE
let's see it in the world before we patent it
I think that would need an ironically named, "Design Patent." However, simply describing a method to do something (designing it?) would need only a "Utility Patent." (<Step 2>) In other words, as I understand it, you can file for a Utility Patent without actually building anything. Thus, it doesn't have to be "in the world." I think that concept, if I understand it correctly, is a big part of the problem with our patent system. dntknw.gif Some one who gets an idea to actually work, could be in violation of a patent that the owner never developed into anything functional. wallbash.gif

I think I remember why I decided against a law degree... blush-anim-cl.gif
« Last Edit: August 28, 2012, 11:12:12 AM by Xairbusdriver »
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THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
Those that use metric = #1 Measurement system
And the United States = The Banana system
CAUTION! Childhood vaccinations cause adults! :yes:
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