US Patent Office Fast Tracks Green Patents 136
eldavojohn writes "A new initiative is being piloted where 'green' patents are given special priority over other patents in the backlogged system. David Kappos (Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO) said, 'Every day an important green tech innovation is hindered from coming to market is another day we harm our planet and another day lost in creating green businesses and green jobs. Applications in this pilot program will see a significant savings in pendency, which will help bring green innovations to market more quickly.' The details of how you qualify for a green patent (PDF) are available with patent blogs offering opinions on this initiative."
So, if it's like software/internet patents -- (Score:5, Funny)
-- you know, the ones where you can say "a method for conveying stateful customer information ON THE INTERNET -- then pretty much all I'll need to contribute to the progress of the useful arts and sciences and, more to the point, amass a formidable patent portfolio, is add USING SOLAR POWER.
I've already applied for the business method patent, but reasonable licensing is available!
The Law of Un-Intended Consquences (Score:2, Funny)
In an interview, the lead scientist said "We were waiting for our patent to go through, and we just got this notice 'Your Patent has been moved back in the queue to make room for "greener" energy patents. We hope you understand, as we take part in saving the world'. I thought it was a joke at first, but the 1-800 number at the bottom was for the US patent office".
Yes, the HIV patent, a wonder-drug that could potentially save millions of lives and end suffering all over the world, especially in poorer third world countries, was backlogged to make room for new patents. Some of the recent "green" patents to come out of the US Patent Office was a "Perpetual Energy Machine, 100% Guarantee!!" and a new type of drinking straw that requires 2% less plastic during the manufacturing process than existing models.
The US patent office has refused to comment on this particular incident, but they did say "We're Always doing our part to save the world, one invention at a time! (tm)".
Overkill (Score:5, Funny)
Looking around my hotel room here, there's no less than:
Green shampoo and conditioner
Green shampoo bottles (made from corn!)
Green soap (no soap in the middle of the bar - less waste!)
Green soap box (it's brown! it must be good for the enviroment!)
Save the environment sign with a panda bear, telling me to reuse my towels. (If you don't, the panda will eat you?)
Another sign explaining just how green the green soap is (and the green soap is actually branded "Green Natura"), including the use of soy products for the ink.
Green facial soap.
Sign telling me not to smoke unless I can breathe backwards.
Sign by my bed, telling me I need to place it on the bed if I want my sheets changed.
My fucking lord - you want MORE green products? Where will they go?
Amazon (Score:2, Funny)
Patents "Green One-Click Checkout"
Re:Hmm, seems a little weird. (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Government actions occur for political gain (Score:0, Funny)
How dare you question green initiatives? You must be a CLIMATE DENIER. There is no place for such questioning in scientific discourse. You're lucky you aren't burned at the stake for heresy.
Re:The Law of Un-Intended Consquences (Score:3, Funny)