Patently Silly Blog

clonebarkins writes "The Patently Silly blog takes a humorous look at ridiculous (and, in some cases, rather uncomfortable) patents, using limericks, haikus, and Dr. Seuss-style rhymes to explain functions covered by the patent. Examples of patents parodied: Post-Mortem Reconstitution Of Circulation (6824389), Gene Related To Migraine In Man (6825332), and the anus-delving Micro Robot (6824508). Links to details about each patent are available for the genuinely curious."

Except for a few...

[sconeu]

While they may be silly, they're not dumb.

The exceptions (that I saw) were the Migraine Gene and the Transgenic Pig.

All the others (that I saw) were actual inventions. Dumb or silly in some cases, but actual inventions.

Re:silly, and dumb

[lothar97]

The helicopter was invented in 2002? How is this thing different than a dozen other flying machines with properllers? The patent is again too vague to differentiate from previous art.

No, it's actually called an orincopter. It is actually different than other helicopters, which require some sort of counterbalancing torque. Otherwise the helicopter just spins around out of control. Most helicopters have the sideways propeller in the rear (which consume 5-10% of total power per http://www.fmp.lr.tudelft.nl/s

Shhhhhhh!!!

[Stop Error]

Be careful or they will patent your comment. ;)

Patent violation

[SouperIan]

I'm sorry, I thought SCO held the patent on worthless patents.

Something that worked for me

[ShatteredDream]

My Congressman, Bob Goodlatte (R-VA, 6th), was one of the guys behind the DMCA. He got on my case for suggesting a few years ago that the DMCA might actually be harmful to individual rights and the economy. So when I contacted his office about the abuse of patent law, I sent several examples from the USPTO. I took the time to find a few stories online, pulled the patents out, looked them up on the USPTO website in a few minutes, printed them out and mailed them with a quick not on each saying what they did in plain English.

I actually got a semi-personalized response from Goodlatte saying thanks for sending him examples of how messed up the system is. In the end that package only got his attention for a few minutes, but imagine if thousands of geeks poured through the USPTO's website and sent 10,000-20,000 patents dangerous to the U.S. economy to Congress like that. It might be enough to give whoever is in opposition enough ammo to take charge and push reform through as a way to take a jab at the majority party.

At least do something about it, then you're basically blameless when it all goes to hell in a handbasket.

Wow

[StalinJoe]

I *really* enjoyed this one. Approaching this subject with humor has a kind of relief...Thank you Mr. Daniel Wright from Brooklyn.

# whois pattentlysilly.com

(Even the above line sounds funny when spoken aloud.)

Patently Grateful

[damnwright]

You're most welcome.

Thanks for the link SlashDot! I was wondering why my traffic shot up over the last few days!

Daniel Wright
www.patentlysilly.com [patentlysilly.com]