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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Kosh on May 08, 2009, 08:37:45 pm

Title: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: Kosh on May 08, 2009, 08:37:45 pm: They have patented the 40 minute meeting (http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/05/08/2046215)

Quote
"On Thursday, the USPTO disclosed that self-described patent reform leader IBM wants a patent covering its System and Method for Enhancing Productivity. So what exactly have the four IBM inventors — including two Distinguished Engineers — come up with? In a nutshell, the invention consists of not permitting business meetings to be scheduled for a full hour during certain parts of the day. From the application: 'The observation is that if an hour were shorter, by a small amount, we would be more focused, and accomplish the same amount of work, but in less real time, thereby increasing productivity.'

It reminds me a lot of the patent for not using Lotus during their meetings (http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/03/09/0057208), why is the USPO granting these absurd patents?
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: Dilmah G on May 08, 2009, 08:38:27 pm: What the hell...
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: Droid803 on May 08, 2009, 08:57:53 pm: Quote from: Dilmah G on May 08, 2009, 08:38:27 pm
What the hell...

I am inclined to agree.

In other words - :wtf:
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: BlackDove on May 09, 2009, 10:17:46 am: Quote from: Kosh on May 08, 2009, 08:37:45 pm
why is the USPO granting these absurd patents?

I'm guessing the money they're paid.
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: karajorma on May 09, 2009, 11:19:17 am: I'm guessing IBM do it whenever their legal department get bored.
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: Flipside on May 09, 2009, 01:38:55 pm: They've got to justify those 5-figure salaries somehow, I guess...
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: Angelus on May 09, 2009, 03:39:00 pm: Hm...
...
...
The first thing i am doing monday morning is patenting "eating", "sleeping", "posting on the internets"and "using computers". :p
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: BloodEagle on May 09, 2009, 04:31:44 pm: We need a Federal Inquisition.
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: Snail on May 09, 2009, 04:34:25 pm: Didn't someone try to patent patenting?
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: colecampbell666 on May 09, 2009, 04:36:02 pm: And fire, and the wheel, and breathing. It was an Aussie, IIRC. Or it could've been several guys, but an Aussie tried fire and the wheel IIRC.
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: Titan on May 10, 2009, 02:01:21 pm: Quote from: Snail on May 09, 2009, 04:34:25 pm
Didn't someone try to patent patenting?

PyroMX.

I already patented free energy.

... No, really. Wanna see the plans?
Title: Re: Yet another useless patent by IBM
Post by: High Max on May 10, 2009, 07:03:52 pm: .