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IBM Wants To Patent Restaurant Waits

Posted by kdawson on from the no-rewards-or-we'll-sue dept.

theodp writes "If all goes IBM's way, it'll soon constitute patent infringement if Bennigan's gives you a free lunch for being inconvenienced by a long wait for your meal. Big Blue is seeking a patent for its Method and Structure for Automated Crediting to Customers for Waiting, the purported 'invention' of three IBM researchers, which IBM notes, 'could be implemented completely devoid of computerization or automation of any kind.' Can we count on IBM to withdraw this patent claim, or will Big Blue weasel out of its patent reform pledge again?"

3 of 154 comments (clear)

  1. Re:The old saying must be true. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    hey asshole the whole point of this is that you do get a free lunch by way of apology

  2. Worthless Story by gmyerxa · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    This is a worthless story. My post is more newsworthy than the story!

  3. Talk about McDonaldization... by core_dump_0 · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    Liberals constantly talk about how America is "McDonaldizing" the world. This patent may create an incentive for faster service at restaurants. Pretty soon, we'll be McDonaldizing the US!