Patently idiotic It seems that IBM had patented a "restroom reservation" system. You have to read the article to believe it. Luckily for those of us who saved a spot in the bathroom line, they've dropped their claim so we don't have to pay royalties (higher fees for #2 rather than #1?). Check out this excerpt:

The patent system has seen its reputation sullied in recent years. Critics have charged that too many patents don't pass the smell test because they cover "obvious" inventions that can't be patented under U.S. law. Earlier this year, for instance, the office was criticized for issuing a patent for a method of swinging sideways on a swing.