IPDuck: April 2014

Monday, April 14, 2014

KFC Is Two Weeks Too Late For April Fool's Day

KFC has introduced the "Chicken Corsage," just in time for prom season. Be sure to watch the awesome video. (Apparently, this is real.)

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Having Trouble Creating A Password?

Having trouble creating a password? Don't bother clicking here.

"Jabberwocky" Parody Featuring Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank

One of my most recent EFF amicus briefs was in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank Int'l. The case deals with the patentability of computer software and business methods. The Supreme Court heard oral argument in the case on Monday, March 31. While the transcript makes it seem likely that Alice Corp. will lose its patents, it's unclear whether the Court will make a broad ruling either upholding or limiting software patents.

Fortunately, EFF's Parker Higgins has come up with an explanation of the oral argument: In the form of a parody of Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky." Now it almost makes sense. Almost.

Why a Duck?

The "IP" part of this blog's title is self-explanatory -- the abbreviation for the shorthand term "intellectual property." But what to call the humor part of the name? It turns out that the duck is the funniest animal alive. A 2002 study confirms that jokes mentioning ducks are funnier than others.

If you think about it, that makes sense. Think of the funniest joke you know, and replace one of the characters with a duck. It instantly becomes even funnier. You might not even need the punchline. For example, which is funnier:
"A priest, a rabbi, and a minister walk into a bar . . . "
-- OR --
"A priest, a rabbi, and a duck walk into a bar . . . "

And needless to say, "Weird Al" Yankovic's "I Want a New Duck" is MUCH funnier than Huey Lewis' "I Want a New Drug."