EPG / VPS patented

[Doom9]

Yet another example why the US patent system should be torn down and rebuilt without the "help" of any industry lobbyists:

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=/netahtml/search-adv.htm&r=1&p=1&f=G&l=50&d=ptxt&S1=6,748,596&OS=6,748,596&RS=6,748,596

[communist]

Bah!
This is getting worse day by day... VPS?! How can they patent a system developed / invented by someone else?
So now they will go around and collect money from all set-top box / satellite receiver makers for using IP that has now gotten a *new* ownership!?:sly:

[dragongodz]

yes we have had that for many many years.

then again i also read some time ago that a u.s. company copyrighted "ugh" as in ugh boots and tried to say all aus companies couldnt call there boots that anymore. i will leave it to your imagination as to what most aus companies reply was. :)

[Doom9]

another one: status of the caps lock key: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,748,468.WKU.&OS=PN/6,748,468&RS=PN/6,748,468

[wmansir]

How about: Masturbation (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=/netahtml/search-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=ptxt&s1=Jillette.INZZ.&OS=IN/Jillette&RS=IN/Jillette)

[mpucoder]

Now that's a weird patent in that it is issued to Penn Jillette (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0422710/) (of Penn and Teller?) and filed by a Las Vegas attorney.

[wmansir]

Yep, it is Penn of "Penn and Teller". I heard he did it as a joke, but couldn't confirm with google\groups. They guy is suppose to be a bit odd in his personal life, so it could be at least semi-serious.