Assignment 9A: Silly Patent 1 [Method and apparatus for an automatic vehicle location, collision notification, and synthetic voice]

U.S. Patent No. 6,442,485, “Method and apparatus for an automatic vehicle location, collision notification, and synthetic voice," was filed in 1999.

The "Background of Invention" depicts a method and device that speaks for a driver involved in a collision and transmit location details to 911. At first glance, this is a really good idea, especially because many collisions may render the victim(s) unable to pick up their phone or even speak. However, everything after the background is vague and clearly fabricated with no substantiation. 

The patent includes phrases such as “Location Comparator-Indicator Module” and “Automatic Speed Controlled Location Detection Module” with no description as to what they are or how they operate. There is no prior art or any information on the internet supporting these phrases. Furthermore, key terms in the claims do not show up in the invention description. Overall, this patent is exceedingly hard to decipher or understand. Despite all this, the patent was successfully given to NovelPoint Tracking LLP.

NovelPoint Tracking LLP has proceeded to sue around 100 companies using this patent as a basis for infringement. These companies include Subway, McDonald's, and Burger King. Can you guess why? Novelpoint accused these companies for infringement because their mobile applications allow users to check their physical locations and communicate their information to the restaurant. Despite these two industries being vastly different, NovelPoint was able to receive settlement money because the patent covers all sorts of GPS technology.