Slashdot Mirror
McDonalds Files To Patent Making a Sandwich
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."
Unless you're terribly dense, I don't see why the question "you just want the sandwich?" would be so confusing to you.
Even a person of sub-average intelligence, when trying to order at McDonald's, should understand that the word "sandwich" in that question refers to the Big Mac you're trying to order.
The preferred solution is to not have a problem.
Again, why? Assume for the moment that the method in question is both new and non-obvious. Why shouldn't it be patentable? Hasn't it contributed something to the art of sandwich making once disclosed?
Today's Sesame Street was brought to you by the number e.