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McDonalds Files To Patent Making a Sandwich

Posted by kdawson on from the mayo-gets-its-own-claim dept.

I Don't Believe in Imaginary Property writes "McDonalds has applied for patent WO2006068865, which carries the title 'METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A SANDWICH.' John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich, can eat his heart out (unless that's been patented, too). Undoubtedly, some people are contemplating whether there's anything novel in this patent that is somehow obscured by its generic title. Feel free to examine their flowchart for yourself and see exactly how novel their sandwich 'subroutines' are. The good news is that, given that it only mentions generic sandwich making 'tool(s),' rather than any specific machine, it might not survive after the In Re Bilski decision, which was meant to put a stop to absurdities such as this. But until McDonalds's application is rejected or invalidated, make sure you don't use their flowchart when making sandwiches. After all, if you 'apply appropriate condiments to appropriate compartment,' you might infringe upon their IP."

4 of 346 comments (clear)

  1. John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich by decalod85 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I think there might be claims of prior art on this one.

  2. Re:cheezburgers? by khellendros1984 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    This idea was invented by Shampoo.

    --
    It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
  3. Re:Prior Art by Lord_Breetai · · Score: 0, Redundant

    The Earl of Sandwich called, and he wants a slice.

    I see, but what about The Burger King?

    --
    "You are only young once, but you can be immature forever." -www.animemusicvideos.org
  4. Earl of Sandwich calling. by arthurh3535 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    He wants his IP back and centuries of fees from everyone on the planet! :P

    --
    No! It's a *SIG*. Keep the Special Interest Groups away! (Con joke!)