IPKat writes about that bane of patent examiners — or is it really just a study break for the nerdiest G-men? — perpetual motion machines. The philosophical feline makes an immodest, and very laissez-faire, proposal:
The IPKat likes patents for perpetual motion machines (though, embarassingly, he couldn’t find a link to this one). They shouldn’t need to be expensive to examine once you rumble the concept, so the patent office should get good income from them. The inventor is happy because he’s got his patent. The patent agent is happy because he gets his fees. Other manufacturers sleep soundly because, if the invention is contrary to the laws of nature, there’s not much risk of infringing it. Merpel adds, there’s not much sympathy for investors. They’re prepared to sink a lot of money each year into patents that don’t work even if they’re not contrary to the laws of nature; if they don’t do their due diligence, it’s their own fault.
Via Bill Heinze.
