Washington Mutual Patents the Bank Branch

ewhac writes "Okay, so it's not a bank branch per se, but a particular kind of bank branch -- one that has play areas for kids, serves coffee and popcorn, and has kiosks instead of teller windows. Washington Mutual has dubbed this branch design, "Occasio" (a generic Latin word meaning, "favorable opportunity," and which has probably been trademarked). The San Francisco Chronicle reports that it may be the first time the USPTO has awarded a patent for the design of a retail store/presence."

Comments

What is new about this?

[rollingcalf]

Other places like Borders have been doing this kind of thing for years.

So it looks like the new trend is to take any old concept or practice, add "in a bank" and get a patent, instead of adding "on the internet".

Too late to patent Feng Shui?

[AaronGTurner]

Or has someone done it already, and I will have to pay a fee if I place a red candle in the northernmost corner of the living room?