24 Mar 2006
This Essay Breaks the Law

This has a long teaser - but I wanted to break this particular law too! And the teaser says it all about the place we've come to via "business method patents". The absurdity is abundant, and the writing is excellent: read the whole thing and hope the Supremes still have a modicum of common sense.

  • The Earth revolves around the Sun.
  • The speed of light is a constant.
  • Apples fall to earth because of gravity.
  • Elevated blood sugar is linked to diabetes.
  • Elevated uric acid is linked to gout.
  • Elevated homocysteine is linked to heart disease.
  • Elevated homocysteine is linked to B-12 deficiency, so doctors should test homocysteine levels to see whether the patient needs vitamins.

ACTUALLY, I can't make that last statement. A corporation has patented that fact, and demands a royalty for its use. Anyone who makes the fact public and encourages doctors to test for the condition and treat it can be sued for royalty fees. Any doctor who reads a patient's test results and even thinks of vitamin deficiency infringes the patent. A federal circuit court held that mere thinking violates the patent.

(link) [New York Times]

via Overlawyered

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