COLD COMFORT?

Ananova brings news of a strong candidate for the Wacky Invention of the Year prize. A German artist has invented a machine that automatically dishes out comfort to people in distress. The invention, "Comfort XxL", has been made out of an old slot machine. At the push of a button, a screen shows a short video of somebody saying encouraging things. Messages range from two young women chanting "You are great! You are beautiful! You are so fantastic!" to a man's more down-to-earth "Remember, it could be worse." The inventor is Jennifer Baumeister, 31.



The IPKat doubts whether this invention, at least as described here, is patentable in Europe since it appears to consist of a "presentation of information" under the European Patent Convention, Art.52(2)(d). He also wonders how effective a comfort Ms Baumeister would find her own device, once she received a bill from her professional legal advisers ...



More on cold comfort here, here and here

Comfort machines here, here and here