Leaving aside all questions about the safe and advisable use of aerial drones, I hope we can all agree that the notion this use constitutes a novel invention worthy of patent protection is risible and ludicrous.

@1: That's what I wanted to say.

Funny, because Disney is supposed to release a "Drones" animated movie in December ... just a coincidence? http://dandygoat.com/disney-launches-dro…

@1 and 2: Seems like their legal team wants to get into the Patent Troll game.

Man that would be fun to design.

I think they should change the patent rules so that any company that is awarded one has to sacrifice their CEO in a ritual disembowelment every year on the anniversary of the granting.

Helium is a gas that's markedly lighter than is an equivalent volume of most of the gases that comprise air (basically nitrogen and oxygen). So even when helium is under a similar pressure as air (like in a balloon), it accelerates (or exerts a force) upward. Like oil in water. Or like hot air in cold air.

Or: "...drones are replacing combustibles and buoyant gases."

@6 - That's brilliant.

Here is a video showing how awesome these shows are going to be - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO5b_SxO…