Summary: A shocking new example which shows just how broad patents can be

JUST WHEN you think you've coming across bizarre patents Andres Guadamuz tells us all that there is a lawsuit over "technology that synchronises masturbation and porn": [via Glyn Moody]

Best patent suit ever? Dispute over patented technology that synchronises masturbation and porn

"We Are Not Making This Up" says the headline from courthousenews.com, which is a serious Web site that's baffled by this case:

In a patent case that gives new meaning to the term "digital technology," New Frontier Technologies claims that a rival's "Real Touch" masturbation tool infringes on its "Method and Device for Interactive Virtual Control of Sexual Aids Using Digital Computer Networks." New Frontier took a license on the patent on Valentine's Day 2008.

According to the federal complaint in Las Vegas, Hassex owns the patent and licensed it to New Frontier. Both of them sued Internet Services, a California LLC that operates out of Charlotte, N.C., and WMM

Holdings LLC, of Nevada. The patent at issue is No. 6,368,268.

The patent for the "Method and Device for Interactive Virtual Control of Sexual Aids Using Digital Computer Networks" was issued on April 9, 2002, according to the complaint.

How ridiculous does the USPTO try to look? Watch this video. ⬆