Skip to main content

Bruin Success with Less Stress

8. Patents

Before dinner, Carlos and Eddie watch a little TV. The Simpsons is on. It's the episode when Homer crosses tomato and tobacco seeds, sprinkles in a little radioactive goodness, and creates "tomacco." Looks like a tomato on the outside, filled with tobacco on the inside.

Question:

Could Homer's creation be patented if it were real? What Do You Think?

   

Answer

Yes, Homer's tomacco could be patented if it were real. Plants that are the result of human intervention are eligible for patent.

What Are Patents?

The Perfect Gift for Fido

Did you know that someone has created and patented a watch for dogs that calculates dog time? See this and other interesting patented inventions at Totally Absurd Inventions.

Patents protect functional things and designs, processes, or new plants that are the result of human intervention.

For example:

  • A functional thing that is patented is the computer mouse. You're probably using one right now.
  • The Hershey Food Corporation has patented the process that they use to wrap their chocolates.
  • A plant that has been patented is the plumcot, someone's creation which is a cross between a plum and an apricot.

Unlike copyrights, patents must be registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office if you want to protect your creations.

("General Information Concerning Patents")