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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. Enough is enough by sqrt(2) · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Software and business models should NOT be eligible for patents. It's just going to get more and more ridiculous until we wake up and realize that and revamp the patent system.

    --
    If you build it, nerds will come. Soylentnews.org
  2. Re:The old saying must be true. by The+End+Of+Days · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But if you're a good Slashdotter and just read the completely inaccurate headline, you can work up a righteous froth and get a nice +5 Insightful.

  3. Re:Automation IS required by pokerdad · · Score: 4, Insightful

    May I point out that this is *not* a patent, but rather a publication of an application for a patent. I wish someone on this friggin' site would learn the difference between the two.

    If you are being critical of the patent office the difference is very important, if you are being critical of the applicant, not so much so.