Free beer

In the patent world there is a thing called a “wish” claim which is also referred to as a “free beer” claim because free beer is something we would like to have.

This type of claim contains only the function of an invention and not any specific means to implement it – these tend to be detailed in subsequent dependent claims.

I love free beer claims. One of mine has just been granted in the US. I can’t say which one because it might prejudice future court proceedings when a bunch of people wake up to what has been granted. In truth there is so much relevant prior art that you have to think the patent examiner had a series of very bad hangovers.