Odd Mathematical Patents #1: Gömböc

The Gömböc is a self righting shape. A bit like a turtle that will always rotate back to standing up if placed on its back. This shape was patented under US D614077 S1 and a cease and destist has been send to someone giving plans to 3D print one.

Prof. Domokos has politely requested that I remove this file. I have respectfully declined to do so, as I do not believe it violates any of their established legal rights, and I believe it may have actual value for researchers interested in the Gömböc and mono-monostatic bodies in general.

Gömböc's are cool. And the inventors were very ingenious. You can buy one from the patent holders here. Patenting a shape though strikes me as weird.