Recent Articles

They Invented What? (No. 213)

Jake Ward
March 09, 2012 02:44

U.S. Pat. No. 7,246,054: Discrete event simulation system and method. JW Note:  Many thanks to Patrick Anderson at the Gametime IP blog for bringing this one to our attention.  Patrick opines that, although the patent uses very serious language, the crux of the claims deal with time travel in a...

They Invented What? (No. 212)

Jake Ward
January 27, 2012 14:29

U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,324: Apparatus and method for controlling animal behavior. JW Note:  The adventures of Pookie, the patent drawing dog.  Many thanks to Jason Wilson for bringing this one to our attention! What is claimed is: 1. An apparatus for controlling the behavior of an animal comprising: a...

USPTO Announces Location for Elijah J. McCoy Satellite Office in Detroit, MI.

Jake Ward
January 11, 2012 17:24

Per a press release from the U.S. Patent Office earlier today. USPTO Announces Location for Elijah J. McCoy Satellite Office in Detroit Riverfront office space confirmed; Agency targets July 2012 opening WASHINGTON—The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced on Jan. 11, 2012...

AT! 2011 Year In Review.

Jake Ward
December 31, 2011 17:18

JW Note:  Wishing all of our readers a Safe and Happy New Year! The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 36,000 times in 2011. If it were a...

They Invented What? (No. 211)

Jake Ward
December 14, 2011 23:03

U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,569:  Christmas holiday access, indicator, and mementos key method and apparatus. JW Note:  Wishing a Happy Holidays to all!  See you in 2012! BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Children have believed in Santa Claus (under any the many known names) for hundreds of years. No matter what...

They Invented What? (No. 210)

Jake Ward
October 20, 2011 21:27

U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 20060259306:  Business method protecting jokes. JW Note:  Many thanks to Joseph Page for bringing this application to our attention! Abstract: The specification describes a method of protecting jokes by filing patent applications therefor, and gives examples of novel jokes...

They Invented What? (No. 209)

Jake Ward
October 12, 2011 15:23

U.S. Pat. No. 1,497,342:  Device for shaping the upper lip. What is claimed is: 1. A device for shaping the upper lip of a person, comprising a matrix and a clamping means adapted to grip the lip inside and outside at opposite points and centrally of the bow of the lip, said clamping means being...

Leahy-Smith America Invents Act Signed by President Obama on September 16, 2011.

Jake Ward
September 17, 2011 21:11

On September 16, 2011, President Barack Obama signed into law the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), discuss earlier at AT! here.  The AIA is the first major overhaul of the U.S. patent laws in approximately 60 years. More information on the new U.S. patent laws, which will be implemented...

Senate Approves the America Invents Act of 2011 (H.R. 1249).

Jake Ward
September 08, 2011 21:50

The Senate has voted and passed the America Invents Act of 2011 (H.R. 1249) without amendment.  We are one step closer to having a new “law of the land”, as Senator Leahy termed it, with respect to patents in the United States.  H.R. 1249 will now be delivered to the President’s...

U.S. Senate to Vote Soon on America Invents Act of 2011.

Jake Ward
September 07, 2011 01:14

Earlier today, the U.S. Senate voted 93-5 to end debate on the America Invents Act of 2011.  A vote by the Senate to adopt the H.R. 1249 bill, which was recently approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, is now imminent.  If the Senate adopts the House bill wholesale, which they appear posed...