Images: Patenting the obvious
Big money can be made if you're the first to claim a new invention. Sometimes the routine even slips through.
1 of 3 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET
kitty laser
Critics of the U.S. patent system say that it too often rewards ideas that are obvious and which rightly belong in the public domain. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that inventors' ideas must be protected.
At right is a diagram illustrating one idea that has won such protection: "Method of excercising a cat." This concept--using a handheld device to manipulate a laser beam that can "amuse and exercise" a feline--is protected by U.S. Patent No. 5,443,036.
2 of 3 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET
crustless sandwich
Are you a fan of peanut butter and jelly? The inventors of the "sealed crustless sandwich" likely had you in mind when they came up with their idea--a method for creating a round, prepackaged sandwich that contains two types of filling, such as peanut butter and jelly.
This diagram illustrates a cutting cylinder that can be used to create such a sandwich, which can then be stored for "extended periods of time for use in lunch box type of situations." The idea is protected by U.S. Patent No. 6,004,596.
3 of 3 Bill Detwiler/ZDNET
toy branch
This branch-shaped toy is intended to amuse a dog or other pet. It can be made of rubber, plastic or wood, and a scent can be added. It's protected by U.S. Patent No. 6,360,693.
Related Galleries
Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
Related Galleries
Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
Related Galleries
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
Related Galleries
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
Related Galleries
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
Related Galleries
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
Related Galleries
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'