I just saw a headline about Ford patenting a system to eavesdrop on passengers conversations to serve them related ads. If I had patented that before, could I stop it from being used?

  • andrewta@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    91
    ·
    7 months ago

    In theory yes

    In reality, they will find a way around your patent.

    Look up the patent on window wipers as an example

    • foggy@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      23
      ·
      7 months ago

      This oddly reminds me that the original patent for the chainsaw was for aiding childbirth.

      I’ll let anyone curious enough google that.

        • foggy@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          5
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          7 months ago

          If it makes you feel better they were tiny compared to what’s at home depot

        • governorkeagan
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          7 months ago

          Curiosity got the better of me a while back. It’s horrifying and incredibly interesting at the same time.

      • DeltaTangoLima@reddrefuge.com
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        7 months ago

        Well, thanks for the fall down that particularly horrifying rabbit hole. I can only imagine the pain these women went through, given this was at a time that predates anaesthesia.

      • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        7 months ago

        You use the chainsaw to open the lady and pluck out the baby? What a genius idea. This will save a lot of time. /s