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BMW Trying To Patent Technological Problem Solving
from the no-thinking-for-you dept
Erik was the first of a bunch of you to send in the story about how BMW is supposedly applying for a patent on a method using technology to solve problems. You can read the patent application for a Method for Systematically Identifying Technology-Based Solutions if you'd like. It's not quite as broad as the claim on Autoblog that it's a patent application on "technological creative thinking," but it is ridiculously broad. Read through the actual claims, and it's difficult to see how this deserves a patent at all. There shouldn't be a monopoly on a method for how you solve problems.
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There shouldn't be patents on genes, but yet parts of our bodies are the intellectual property of others... because they are entitled to claim genes..
So it's not really a stretch of the imagination for a company to try this. I read some of the patent, basically it is trying to get a monopoly on creative thinking, identifying a plurality of problems and finding solutions, or however they put it.
"In many countries, certain subject areas are excluded from patents, such as business methods and mental acts. The exclusive right granted to a patentee in most countries is the right to prevent others from making, using, selling, or distributing the patented invention without permission"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent (in before "wikipedia isn't a source!")
I know that we aren't talking about genes here, but I found out they were patented on this site, and it's given me a horrid look at the patent system.
One can only pray this isn't accepted. It would be a victory for common sense.
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Yea, okay.
Starting now, I will ignore any patent made by anyone. The system is broken and I see no reason to adhere to a broken system.
I am very close to not adhering to copyright for much the same reason.
On another note entirely: wouldn't all of human history be prior art?
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BMW
I think this is absolute ridiculus allowing companies/organisations to patent ideas/methodologies/process especially as broad as this one. Allowing such patents discourages creative thinking/development on broad level.
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Ha...this response is patented. If you read it, my laywers will be in contact.
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Patents - the new fools gold
Infringement by everyone would be a given, but how would it be proven? You could simply say that you solved the problem by guessing or maybe pulled it out of your ass rather than engaging in a logical progression of thought - which btw should not be patentable for obvious reasons.
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Patent
Broad and vague. That's how we like our patents!
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Re:
We are very sorry, but common sense has already been patented by Sony.
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Re:
First, you ignoring patents harms any patent holder, how much? How about, none?
Second, why are you ignoring any patent? The issue described is an application, not a patent. That application has a snow-ball's chance in hell of ever issuing as a patent.
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Problem Solving...
I have heard of this process already. It is called Triz.
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You obviously haven't seen the patents that get through the USPO.
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Someone go copyright the concept of a copyright and get this over with.
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Re:
Ooooo, maybe someone could patent the method for maintaining a system of patents.
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Ah, hell, just trademark the terms "Patent" and "Copyright" and it'll be over.
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Thanks, Now I'll use it
I'd like to patent systematically breaking down patents with a computer algorithm and then reselling them to people who don't like to develop technology.
Ah-ha!
ha ha hahahahahaha.
Okay so these guys think that a computer program with drop downs solutions that compiles and aggregates data is cutting edge? It's like they just created the search engine in 2009. Am I the only one that isn't impressed with anything but how stupid it is to share how you do things with all of your competition?
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Pretty soon using a spreadsheet to help solve problems that spreadsheets are designed to solve will be patented.
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Re:
or using a calculator to solve a math problem.
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Re: Patents - the new fools gold
"You could simply say that you solved the problem by guessing"
It's still infringement.
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Yet another unimplemented patent!
Sorry, just had to...
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I swear that stories like this make me want to patent a system by which anaerobic gasses are exchanged from a fluid medium for aerobic gasses and then sue the pants off anyone who dares to breathe!
Seriously, where's the bar? I guess all it takes is enough confusing technical jargon.
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A wise man once said:
Whats the difference between a BMW and a Porcupine? With a porcupine, the prick is on the outside.
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Not Patented
Does anyone remember the scene in It's A Wonderful Life where young George Bailey struck a cigarette lighter in Mr. Gower's drug store and said "I wish I had a million dollars"?
He didn't get the millions dollars just because he wished it.
And the BMW patent application's ridiculous claim 1 has not been allowed just because they wished it.
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Re:
You did catch the point that this is an application, right?
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Yet another patent application confused with a patent.
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Re: Re: Patents - the new fools gold
Actually, based on the way the claim reads, it would not be infringement. Of course, that also assumes that the patent application ever issues, which is extremely unlikely. You have to follow each and every step of a claim to be infringing, and guessing a solution is not one of the steps.
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Good luck with that.
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Yes, I have. This one will not go. Just watch.
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bmw patent
well patents have to be broad so that they benefit the writer.
San Diego BMW Service Repair
8680 Miralani Dr, Suite 124, San Diego, CA
(858) 635-9063
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