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Using the USPTO Against Itself

fidget42 writes: "This article in the LA Times tells of how a scientist went about using the patent office as a mechanism for trying to force a change in that office's rules. To quote from the article: 'Nearly 10 years ago, a friend called Stuart Newman with an intriguing challenge: Could he think up a new form of life that would be scientifically useful and possible to patent--yet so disturbing that the public would recoil?' Could the same be done with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) concerning software patents? I know some companies have used the rules of the USPTO to 'spoof' it, most notably Despair, Inc.'s trademarking of the frowney."

7 of 178 comments (clear)

  1. happy mothers day first post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    geek moms are the best.

  2. First Patriotic Post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    RMS is a commie.

  3. This one is for Natalie Portman ! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Naked and pertified !

  4. Questions by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Why are niggers so inclined toward violence? Why do spics smell so bad? Why are kikes so greedy?

  5. Last post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    No posts will be allowed after this one. Please move to the next story. Thanks.

  6. I like this better by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
  7. Mwahaha by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Everthing is going according to plan. Next we will patent YOUR MOM!!!