IP's Next Big Wave - Taste & Smell Patents

Magnavox writes "Futurist Thomas Frey has written an article about Monday's Nobel Prize in medicine opening the door for taste & smell patents. Dr. Richard Axel and Dr. Linda B. Buck won the prize for scientifically describing how odor-sensing proteins in the nose translate specific tastes and smells into information in the brain. Patenting smells in the past was limited to describing the chemical composition of the substance. Receptor patterning opens the door for a variety of new patenting possibilities... Perhaps more important will be the decision as to whether smells can be trademarked as symbols of the products or services they represent. Sounds and colors are commonly trademarked today because of the commercial impression they leave on consumers. Smells cannot be far behind. Now I'm wondering if we can patent the smell of money."

Comments

Bacon Smell

[Danos]

If I patented the smell of bacon, I'd own every fatass linux nerd on the planet. Unless they found ham.

stupid slashdotters

[Anonymous Coward]

here we go again, some more barraging of the patent system. YOu can all suck RMS off.

We all know you can't invent, and are merely users.

Reward people for innovation.

DOn't hate the playa, hate the game.

From your friendly patent attorney

WWot fp

[Anonymous Coward]

their hand...sHe I ever did. It PPor priorities,