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Technology, Culture, Commentary on the Internet Revolution

Satellite Junked Over Stupid Patent

by Mike Abundo on April 11th, 2008

Sorry, Frankie. What you propose is a crime.

See, this is why we need patent reform. Apparently, flying by the moon is now illegal.

Last month, SES Americom launched commercial geostationary satellite AMC-14. Unfortunately, they screwed up, and now the thing will fall to Earth within days. They could have stabilized its orbit with a lunar flyby, but apparently Boeing holds a patent on that particular maneuver.

Yes, you read that right: you need Boeing’s permission to fly by the moon. They actually took out a patent on a path.

Perhaps I should file a patent on girls checking me out. I’d make a fortune.

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POSTED IN: IP

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