Slashdot Mirror

Sure, sure. And chemistry kits can be used by terrorists for... evil. So let's make every object illegal.

Here in the US, thanks to the patent system which restricts not only distribution but also merely the use of "inventions" everything is already illegal; From being square to holding your breath, keeping your chin up, being repressed or even just having one's ass in a sling.

If everything you do is breaking some law, who cares what law new technologies might break?

Sure, sure. And chemistry kits can be used by terrorists for... evil. So let's make every object illegal.

Here in the US, thanks to the patent system which restricts not only distribution but also merely the use of "inventions" everything is already illegal; From being square to holding your breath, keeping your chin up, being repressed or even just having one's ass in a sling.

If everything you do is breaking some law, who cares what law new technologies might break?

Sure, sure. And chemistry kits can be used by terrorists for... evil. So let's make every object illegal.

Here in the US, thanks to the patent system which restricts not only distribution but also merely the use of "inventions" everything is already illegal; From being square to holding your breath, keeping your chin up, being repressed or even just having one's ass in a sling.

If everything you do is breaking some law, who cares what law new technologies might break?

Sure, sure. And chemistry kits can be used by terrorists for... evil. So let's make every object illegal.

Here in the US, thanks to the patent system which restricts not only distribution but also merely the use of "inventions" everything is already illegal; From being square to holding your breath, keeping your chin up, being repressed or even just having one's ass in a sling.

If everything you do is breaking some law, who cares what law new technologies might break?

Sure, sure. And chemistry kits can be used by terrorists for... evil. So let's make every object illegal.

Here in the US, thanks to the patent system which restricts not only distribution but also merely the use of "inventions" everything is already illegal; From being square to holding your breath, keeping your chin up, being repressed or even just having one's ass in a sling.

If everything you do is breaking some law, who cares what law new technologies might break?

What the heck, do it anyway - the USPTO doesn't give a **** about prior art - they're like Mikey, they'll eat anything you stick in front of them! After all, they patented the comb-over., the cry-no-more that gags a baby, human car wash, pet petter, boob tube and insect balls

What the heck, do it anyway - the USPTO doesn't give a **** about prior art - they're like Mikey, they'll eat anything you stick in front of them! After all, they patented the comb-over., the cry-no-more that gags a baby, human car wash, pet petter, boob tube and insect balls

What the heck, do it anyway - the USPTO doesn't give a **** about prior art - they're like Mikey, they'll eat anything you stick in front of them! After all, they patented the comb-over., the cry-no-more that gags a baby, human car wash, pet petter, boob tube and insect balls

What the heck, do it anyway - the USPTO doesn't give a **** about prior art - they're like Mikey, they'll eat anything you stick in front of them! After all, they patented the comb-over., the cry-no-more that gags a baby, human car wash, pet petter, boob tube and insect balls

What the heck, do it anyway - the USPTO doesn't give a **** about prior art - they're like Mikey, they'll eat anything you stick in front of them! After all, they patented the comb-over., the cry-no-more that gags a baby, human car wash, pet petter, boob tube and insect balls

I expect my patent for 'combing hair' will be granted next week so get ready to fork out for that one too.

I expect it will.

http://totallyabsurd.com/extremecombover.htm

sorry mate, somebody beat you to it. the "toilet snorkel" is already patented..

http://www.totallyabsurd.com/toiletsnorkel.htm

There's a patent on a bulletproof desk in a website about absurd patents, maybe now it's not so absurd?. http://totallyabsurd.com/bulletproofdesk.htm

These should be manditory if cell phone service is provided on planes.
http://totallyabsurd.com/hijackerinjector.htm

That moron talking REALLY LOUD on his cell phone is now drooling in his shirt pocket!

Another step towards the day when I can upgrade my computer by simply pouring a bag of crap through a hole in the top of my case. ...Hey, I sould patent that! (Link barely has anything to do with the comment, it just came up in a quick google for toilet patent.)

I for one think innovation has gotten out of hand.

Totally Absurd Patents

IP funny

Patent of the week

I am sure there are more, but it gives you a glimpse of the absurdity in patents. Some of the patents are funny too .. so enjoy :) (just don't spill coffee while reading)

Patently Silly

Totally Absurd Inventions America's Goofiest Patents!

http://totallyabsurd.com/ absurd inventions? yep lots of them, glad to know software isn't the worse of all posibilities ^^;;

Well, firstly: there are a lot of stupid inventions (e.g.: hat that spreads into an umbrella).
Secondly: there are a lot of inventions that are developed based on previous ideas and are fully exploited (e.g.: paperclips - there are many designs, quite a few still being used).
Thirdly: many inventions are innovative, but just not quite good enough to use (e.g.: the development of the zipper took several tries).
Fourthly: The technology is often not good/economical enough in practice (e.g. Lilienfeld's invention of the field effect transistor in 1925 (patented in 1930).
Finally: some inventions are so far advanced for the time that no one (other than the inventor) sees any realistic use for it (e.g. Babbage's analytical engine)

• Halfbakery.com - a lively discussion of partly-baked ideas
• Smartfunusa.com - Cartoons by Kiva Sutton
• Idea-x.net - idea exchange software
• ShouldExist
• Global Ideas Bank
• ThinkCycle
• yet2.com
• Idea Exchange
• brainhead.com
• Ideas Happen - contest site for 18-29 year olds
• I Called It! - site for posting predictions
• openideas.net
• BrainFlower - revolutionary idea exchange
• Ideas by Creativity Pool
• Idea a day - "Where ideas are free."
• The Idea Oven
• Prior-Art-O-Matic - truly random product ideas
• Totally Absurd Inventions - America's goofiest patents
• Forbes
• Springwise.com - Springwise is an inspiring free newsletter that tracks emerging why-not ideas from all around the world
• Trendwatching.com - Trendwatching is a second free newsletter that lives up to its name

Apropos "whacky" patents:

Just wait until my patent application for "inducing sexual stimulation in human males by repeated stroking of the male reproductive organ using either (or both) of the subject's own hands" is approved.

Keep in mind that in order to contest my patent you'd have to claim prior (ahem) "art" in front of a (possibly female) judge.

And if you say that you can't patent stuff like that, then why did these patent applications get approved, eh? (Link courtesy of another slashdotter.)

Categorized and arranged alphabetically in all their royal glory.

My favorite: The Blind Spot Toy:
USA patent 4,477,3358 / Issued 1994
It is never too early to start your Christmas holiday shopping. Why not be original this year and avoid the toys that everyone seems to be buying? Why not give the gift that keeps on giving, the "Apparatus for Aligning Image with Blind Spot of the Eye"!! Patented in 1975, this toy allows the user to locate their blind spot! In order to play this amazingly fun game, strap the toy tightly on the top of your head.

Close your left eye and focus on the dangling tab with your right eye, then switch eyes. Voila! The dangling tab has disappeared into your blind spot. Not only will this invention provide endless hours of fun and good times for everyone (especially at parties), but anyone wearing this apparatus will unquestionably become irresistible to the opposite sex. Enjoy!

Categorized and arranged alphabetically in all their royal glory.

My favorite: The Blind Spot Toy:
USA patent 4,477,3358 / Issued 1994
It is never too early to start your Christmas holiday shopping. Why not be original this year and avoid the toys that everyone seems to be buying? Why not give the gift that keeps on giving, the "Apparatus for Aligning Image with Blind Spot of the Eye"!! Patented in 1975, this toy allows the user to locate their blind spot! In order to play this amazingly fun game, strap the toy tightly on the top of your head.

Close your left eye and focus on the dangling tab with your right eye, then switch eyes. Voila! The dangling tab has disappeared into your blind spot. Not only will this invention provide endless hours of fun and good times for everyone (especially at parties), but anyone wearing this apparatus will unquestionably become irresistible to the opposite sex. Enjoy!

... explaining the dangers of introducing unlimited patentability in Europe.

• Patently Absurd
• Wacky Patents
• Patent of the Week
• Weird and Wonderful Patents
• Totally Absurd Inventions
• Patently Weird

Check these patents:

Silly patents

Really silly patents

Really Very silly patent

Plain absurd patent

Even law firms admit many patents are silly

Are you getting bored of all this silliness yet?

I can go on

And on

And on. Even in Spanish

Incidentlly, I have just made my own patent application:
Method of recieving Karma Points from www.slashdot.org utilising process of relying entirely on external sources and/or hyperlinks - "Karma Whoring".