This one should have been obvious... If you have been following all of the hoopla regarding software patents, then you are aware that our US Patent Office is granting totally stupid patents to people (typically large corporations). Well, in a recent conversation with our company's "Chief Engineer," he explained to me with a certain amount of pride the basis of a patent he recently filed. The patent basically involves adding a battery to an existing device... Assuming that he was just filing a "defensive patent," which is to say, a patent only to be used to try to "counter-sue" anyone who came after us with their own stupid patent, I commented on the ludicrousy of his rather obvious and non-innovative patent. Errrr...turns out he REALLY thought it was some new "invention." Hmmm...I guess I just lack the wisdom and insight of a "Chief Engineer"...