[oclug] Ouch (MS word processing patent)

[Adrian Irving-Beer]

On Fri, Mar 18, 2005 at 03:09:09PM -0500, Mike Roy wrote:

> I also understand that these 'frivolous' patents were stopped by the
> U.S. patent office and that, in future, any patents had to be based
> on 'real money' issues, i.e.: the patent holder had to show the
> possibility of a 'real profit' and not just the claim to 'an idea'
> or some other profitless 'element' (the sound of a motorcycle).

I disagree -- the distinctive sound of certain motorcycle brands is
pretty desirable by those who buy them.  'Owning' their sound would
provide some real profit, in terms of coming up with a new popular
sound and then locking out their potential competitors (the basic
aspect of patents).

Where I think this falls down is in the 'originality' and perhaps the
'prior art' categories, as well as that (IMO) sounds should be
generally unpatentable.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Patent Office in particular has a terrible
track record researching applications and enforcing their own rules.
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