USPTO Gives Google Patent For Doodles

theodp writes "After a 10-year struggle, the USPTO was convinced to issue Google a patent Tuesday for Systems and Methods for Enticing Users to Access a Web Site, aka Google Doodles. Among other things, Google explains that the invention of co-founder Sergey Brin covers modifying a company logo with 'a turkey for Thanksgiving' and 'a leprechaun's pot of gold for Saint Patrick's Day.' To help drive home its point, Google included an illustration showing the USPTO that hearts could be displayed on the Google home page for Valentine's, which would be deja-vu-all-over-again for the 394 lovers who used the UIUC PLATO system on Feb. 14th, 1975."

Prior art

[Shikaku]

10000BC, caves.

Re:Ridiculous.

[Dachannien]

So, did you read the patent claims, or just the typically misleading /. summary?

Re:sigh.

[EdIII]

The blame does not lie with Google. It does not lie with the unholy lawyers that would be (are) parasites on humanity by abusing the patent.

The blame DOES lie with the USPTO. They should have shredded the application, put in a box, shit in the box, and sent it back to Google.

I don't blame a child when they get into trouble doing something stupid that was condoned, supervised, and encouraged by the parents. I blame the parents.

****

If Google really was doing this for our benefit as part of their Do No Evil campaign then they should immediately come out with a press release announcing a FRAND patent license to the entire world that involves a zero dollar licensing fee. Even still, that would not be necessary if the USPTO was not so hopelessly fucktarded.

I'm not sure if it is hyperbole to claim at this point somebody could get a patent on breathing.