Wheel patented - in Oz

[Andy Armstrong]

Robert Harley wrote:
> 
> Just seen at The Inquirer...
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Melbourne man patents the wheel
> 
> A Melbourne man has patented the wheel. Freelance patent lawyer John
> Keogh was issued with an Innovation Patent for a "circular
> transportation facilitation device" within days of the new patent
> system being invoked in May.
> 
> [...]
> 
> Mr Keogh said he patented the wheel to prove the innovation patent
> system was flawed because it did not need to be examined by the patent
> office, IP Australia.
> 
> "The patent office would be required to issue a patent for anything,"
> he said. "All they're doing is putting a rubber stamp on it.
> 
> [...]
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

It seems that he was actually making a satirical point about a new idea
registration scheme (Innovation Patents) in Oz which is a patent in name
alone. He doesn't seem to have a problem with real patents.

Venez ici pour la full skinny:

 http://www.theage.com.au/news/state/2001/07/02/FFX0ADFPLOC.html

-- 
Andy Armstrong, Tagish