IBM Wants To Patent Restaurant Waits

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?"

Comments

The old saying must be true.

[palegray.net]

Now there's really no such thing as a free lunch...

Re:quick

[Vombatus]

rewards such as free beer for long bathroom waits

Leading to even more trips to the bathroom, longer waits and more free beer.

Re:Prior art

[britneys 9th husband]

Now we just need someone at the patent office to examine this POS patent application and reject it.