August 27, 2004
Patenting punctuation
13:58 UTC » Intellectual Property
Ernest Miller @ CopyfightPatenting Punctuation (Ernest Miller)Well, it seems that someone has patented some new forms of punctuation: WIPO Patent Publication No. WO9219458:
Using two new punctuation marks, the question comma and the exclamation comma: and respectively, inquisitiveness and exclamation may be expressed within a written sentence structure, so that thoughts may be more easily and clearly conveyed to readers. The new punctuation marks are for use within a written sentence between words as a comma, but with more feeling or inquisitiveness.Seems that this is sort of an addition to the faddish punctuation known as the Interrobang.via I/P Updates
This reminds me a bit of when Despair, Inc. trademarked the frowny emoticon ":-("
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Comments
2- Matthew Hurst @ August 28, 2004 1:49 AM
Using an exclamation or question mark within a sentence was
accepted practice in English at least up until the early
19th century!
3- Douglas Sorocco @ August 29, 2004 12:25 PM
They never received a patent -- a WO number merely signifies that an application was filed and published through the PCT convention. It appears that the applicant never finished the process. So, there does not appear to be a "patent" on the punctuation.
People attempt to patent all types of things -- for example, a process of love. Any wonder why some odd ball ones get through from time to time?
PHOSITA: an intellectual property weblawg.
1- Torley Wong @ August 27, 2004 3:55 PM
I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry on that... it might provoke a stormflood of new, synthetic punctuation. But since our languages have been created by humans and are used for open communication... I hope he will not sue others using them! Maybe in time, we'll get new keyboards too.