Sony has patented a new form of trial or demo for video games that, rather than presenting us with a small piece of a title, gives us the whole thing, then takes bits away as time goes on.

Google applied for a patent earlier this year called "Web-Based System for Generation of Interactive Games Based on Digital Videos". Translation: bringing games to YouTube. Interesting.

Your PlayStation 3 may become a reasonably priced, earthbound Satellite of Love, if Sony Computer Entertainment America's patent application for a Mystery Science Theater 3000-like interactive television becom

Apple's latest patent filing revolves around dual-handed touchscreen detection for typing, gesturing, controlling a 3D interface and handwriting. But it this intended for the fabled Apple Tablet, or something entirely different?

Microsoft has been granted a patent for a new type of DRM that works over p2p-style networks. By using public/private encryption keys, it could be used to reinvigorate p2p as a legitimate source of content. The patent explains, "Partial licenses are combinable to form a formal license that may be utilized to output the content."

How is it that a patent this brilliant was filed in 1932 but has yet to become the national sensation that it so deserves to be? It fills bananas with ice cream, people!

"The invention relates to an implement for coring bananas and filling the latter through the cored portion with ice cream and more particularly to a banana extractor and ice cream injector.

Come on, Sony. A repeating boot-to-the-butt wheel? Everyone knows the only surefire kick-based humor must involve the crotch.

We love capacitive screens because they enable all that responsive multi-touch goodness we demand, but struggle compared to resistive screens in the accuracy needed for, say, stylus character entry on phones. RIM's solution: layer 'em up, and file a patent.

From 1790 until 1870, patent applications had to also include a miniature model, less than 12 square inches in size, along with the idea. We wish the policy were still around, at least to weed out the more ridiculous ideas.