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Apple Patented by Microsoft
An anonymous reader writes "C|net is reporting that Microsoft received a patent on Tuesday for a new variety of apple tree. U.S. Plant Patent 14,757, granted to Robert Burchinal of East Wenatchee, Wash., and assigned to Microsoft, covers a new type of tree discovered in the early 1990s in the Wenatchee area, a major commercial apple-growing region. Dubbed the 'Burchinal Red Delicious,' the tree is notable for producing fruit that achieves a deep red color significantly earlier than other varieties. It is sold commercially as the 'Adams Apple.'" Apparently, the assignation of the patent to Microsoft was an error. Or so they would have us believe ...
MS Air, the most breatheable air you can find arround. Decreased cost on large volume orders of our EULAir licences.
Speaking of plant patents: Which patented plant are they smoking at the patent office.
well, you know how fast government works...
Sun patents the Moon, news at 11...
Unfortunately, in order to eat this apple you're going to have to have two mouths, 350 teeth, and the stomach the size of a small child.
The Human Cow - bringing you scrumtrelescence since 1995
...this goes under the 'Apple' slashdot section?!?
A Microsoft spokesman refused to comment on the substance of the error, but alluded to a secret project named "Money Tree". When corrected that money does not in fact grow on trees, but rather on bushes and shrubs, the Microsoft spokesman paused in contemplation, then ran quickly to his car shouting "Eureka!". Microsoft stock finished up 1/4 to land at 26.30.
Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.
"Apple patented by Microsoft."
"sold commercially as the 'Adams Apple'"
We need some more, like...
"Just some more worms for Microsoft"
"Do they have plans for authentication?"
"Microsoft shows the softer side of a monopoly"
...and so on...
webpage
I knew the patent office was slow, but dang. April Fools day was over a month ago...
Apple (AAPL) registered a patent for a new device designed to transmit radient energy from the sun from outside houses to the interior of the house, using 4 glass pieces affixed in a wooden frame. Apple calls their new development a "Window". Apple stock finished up 1/2 to wind up at 26.65
Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.
What kind of (tree based) data structure is this? How would one go about making it AVL? ...and I thought B-Tree was bad.
$cat
I think you mean poplar. *snicker*
You know! Like the tree!
Apples grow on trees! It's a tree joke!
Anybody? Please? *sigh*
There goes my hope for ever having a +5 Funny post . . .philistines . . .
Said an unnamed representative from the USPTO, "Oops, sorry, that one was supposed to go to Monsanto. Honestly, keeping track of evil amoral corporations these days is a real Pain-in-the-Ass(R)."
Schwab
Editor, A1-AAA AmeriCaptions
Does this mean I should expect the blue sky of death?
New Microshatter windows! They spontaneously shatter, allowing you to enjoy the deep blue sky (hereby trademarked as the Blue Screen of Delight)! Pick one up today! And another! And another....
If my answers frighten you, stop asking scary questions.
I would like to contest that it was I and I alone who invented the apple tree and as such I will be suing.
-God
Esoteric reference.
...but then I got hungry.
With 800,000,000 patents day they just assume it's for MS and then sort it out after, it actually saves money that way.
Oh Come on, at least I didnt say "Imagine a beowolf cluster of these"
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The[y] say the mistake was issuing the patent to Microsoft
Understandable... that's the default in the "Patent Holder" field.
I don't think that word means what you think it means.