I patented "Stupidity"... So everyone applying for a US patent now puts money in MY pocket.
Seriously a few days back I was googling for "7-segment display drivers" or something and came across a US patent for "using a segmented display where the 7 segments light up to make numbers for the purpose of displaying the floor an elevator is on" or some crap, the patent was GRANTED and in 2003... You gotta be kidding me.
Patents are so lacking in credibility these days, admitting you own a patent is almost an embarassment... Like admitting you used to go to work wearing sideburns, flares and platform shoes.