this post was submitted on 15 Feb 2026
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Have they actually used it anywhere or just have the patent? Because I expect they won't actually use it anywhere, like with Sony's (IIRC) patent where you have to shout "McDonald's!" after watching an ad. Though I wouldn't be too surprised if they actually use it
That's what's often missing from stories about patents: big companies churn out patents in case they ever need to use them in patent warfare against competitors. For the sole reason that the competitors are doing the same thing.
However, I doubt it that BMW would ever have a chance to use this particular patent on a competitor.
Most of these employera pay employees a couple thousand dollar bonus for any patw t they get out there successfully, with zero limitations on actually implementing the patent.
It's not like it's going to prevent people from working on their cars, either. It's probably just for decorative purposes.