06 Nov 2005
USPTO Issues Provisional Storyline Patent

This Slashdot story is WRONG: the USPTO is going to publish the application, not issue the actual patent. But still, the publication gives the "inventor" the right to file provisional infringement claims, and the the mere fact that such a thing is even being seriously considered is nothing short of ludicrous: if we're patenting stories now, what is the purpose of copyright? The whole "intellectual property" regime in the US is seriously screwed up ... maybe I should seek a patent on "knight in shining armor slays dragon and rescues damsel in distress" or "calvary rides over the hill and saves town".

The USPTO will issue the first storyline patent in history today, with two others following in the next few months. Right to Create points out that this was anticipated several months ago in a story by Richard Stallman published in the The Guardian, UK. With the publication of this not-yet-granted patent, its author can begin requiring licensing fees for anyone whose activities might fall within its claims, including book authors, movie studies, television studios and broadcasters, etc. The claims appear to cover the literary elements of a story involving an ambitious high school student who applies for entrance to MIT and prays to remain sleeping until the acceptance letter comes, which doesn't happen for another 30 years.

(link) [Slashdot]

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