And People Wonder Why Most Patents Don't Make Any Money

As we close out the year, it’s fun to take a look back. In the work of intellectual property, that always makes for some quality amusement. Let’s look, for example, at just a few of the patents that issued this year:

Pat. No. 7,533,832 -- Leg-mounted scent dispenser
Pat. No. D589070 -- Bacon comb
Pat. No. 7,537,453 -- Life-sized furniture kit
Pat. No. 7,497,606 -- Functional shoe
Pat. No. D585,182 -- Removable underwear
Pat. No. D596,839 Striped socks
Pat. No. 7,594,814 -- Prayer-reminder device
Pat. No. 7,510,225 -- Combined manure fork and fan-type shavings blower
Pat. No. D593,731 -- Visor with hair
Pat. No. D589,252 -- Combined towel and handbag
Pat. No. 7,607,664 -- Marriage and divorce game
Pat. No. D596,237 -- Human-shaped toilet stationery organizer
Pat. No. 7,594,878 -- Whole-body vibrator
Pat. No. 7,591,811 -- Diaper with legs
Pat. No. 7,494,681 -- Food products comprising fat and salt
And last (but certainly not least) Pat. No. 7,597,727 -- Method for starting a fire.

Now for 2010? Let the infringement suits begin!

Jonathan Pink is a commercial litigator specializing in high stakes copyright, trademark, patent and business-related disputes. He is Co-Chair of the Internet and New Media Team at Bryan Cave, LLP, where he is resident in the Irvine (Orange County) and Los Angeles offices. He can be reached at 949-223-7173 or at jonathan.pink@bryancave.com.