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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?"
On a slightly related note...
... well, go ahead.
Have you ever noticed there are three kinds of people:
1. Those who notice whether there is a single line-up or multiple line-ups
to get to the McD's order counter, and take their place appropriately.
2. Those who notice, but decide that they can interpret the situation as
ambiguous, and/or pretend they didn't notice, so they can just go ahead
and
3. The oblivious. These come in two subvarieties:
a. The oblivious go-to-the-fronter-past-everyone-else-in-single-line.
b. The oblivious hanger-backer in single-line position,
unknowingly tempting everyone behind them to create their own line.
I just want you all to know that I notice, and I notice whether you're
noticing, and in my hungry imagination, intentional queue jumpers
have laser holes smoking in the back of their skulls from my intensely
glowering black stare.
Perhaps I'll patent little poles with ropes between them or something
that could solve this unnecessary and potentially tragic situation.
Where are we going and why are we in a handbasket?