Well the gun mousetrap was approved so I’m unsure.
Has a patent office ever refused to grant a patent to something on the grounds it was too obscene?
Submitted 4 weeks ago by cheese_greater@lemmy.world to nostupidquestions@lemmy.world
Comments
Lumiluz@slrpnk.net 4 weeks ago
cheese_greater@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
Honestly less cruel than stickie paper hopefully but what a fucking mess too
RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
Indeed, a big mess. Does it even come with spackle to fix your damn wall?
spacecadet@lemm.ee 4 weeks ago
Without going into detail I know there are a lot of things that are illegal to patent for more or less bureaucratic reasons, like paraphernalia, but you can get around it by saying that it’s for tobacco. Also, the military branches have representatives that work in the patent office, so if you find a unique way to kill people you are about to either become very rich, or very arrested.
uranibaba@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
Why tabacco?
toadjones79@lemm.ee 4 weeks ago
I knew of someone who had a patent for a device that attached to a forklift to aid in large scale floor remodeling (scraped up old vinyl flooring). The US military used Eminent Domain to steal that patent and use it for military operations (still just remodeling old floors, not even for combat operations).
I don’t know any more specifics about it. (I have a feeling there were more details that would have made that more understandable). Just that they can take a patent if they feel they need to.
iknowitwheniseeit@lemmynsfw.com 4 weeks ago
It’s also possible that the military had been using such a device for decades and it was actually prior art that invalidated the patent, but this was lost in the retelling. 🤔
toadjones79@lemm.ee 4 weeks ago
I have no idea. It may have even be n a false claim. But I do believe the government can pay claim to a patent if it wants to. Like, if you invented a new kind of bomb, like say you figured out how to make a device that could create a decent amount of antimatter in a second row two, specifically loaded into a warhead, I’m pretty sure the government would take that from you and all your research. And it would be illegal to publish the design.
But I’m no lawyer and am merely guessing.
RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
I’m confused. If that’s obscene, it sounds dangerous.
Agent641@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
I want that job of driving the forklift scraper
Lexam@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
It would take all of five minutes to not want that job. Very messy and dusty. And not good mess like old nasty stuff that’s seeped under those tiles. Bonus the tiles might be asbestos. But if this sounds like a good time still, please report to your nearest US Army Recruitment Office!
cotardious@lemm.ee 4 weeks ago
At least in Europe and Germany there is a rule that allows the parent office to reject such an application. However, I don’t have any examples right now. Nevertheless, I know that dildos are patentable.
Here is an except from Art. 53 of the European patent convention:
European patents shall not be granted in respect of:
(a) inventions the commercial exploitation of which would be contrary to “ordre public” or morality; such exploitation shall not be deemed to be so contrary merely because it is prohibited by law or regulation in some or all of the Contracting States
steeznson@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
Amazon warehouse worker cages (so called “wagie cages”) got approved so idk if morality is a limiting factor
Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
Imagine all the sex toys the patient office has to approve.
cheese_greater@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
Its a dirty job; but someone’s gotta do it
dbx12@programming.dev 4 weeks ago
Do I see a repo the generic opera reference here?
RampantParanoia2365@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
I wonder if the office employs specialists for different categories of patents…
captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 4 weeks ago
Method and apparatus for rattling a hoohaa.