I know this is an aggregation site and that slashdot does not have control. However, the title is incorrect. Amazon has not 'patented' "Way[s] To Turn Lampposts, Church Steeples Into Drone Perches".. at least based on the linked granted patent. Read the numbered claims, which are found at the end of the document. In particular, check out independent claims 1, 9 and 18 which are the legally enforceable part of the granted patent. These claims recite a method that includes using docking stations for purposes of flight path rerouting. In fact, the claims are from the standpoint of some controller and not from the drones themselves.
Simply stated, the claims are the legally enforceable part and represent what the inventor/applicant believes to be their invention. People seem up in arms over what this patent actually protects without understanding what the 'scope' of the patent actually is. Note they could certainly file additional claims in another application that cover additional aspects of their specification (e.g., the technical write-up that includes reference numbers and figures), which is known generally as a continuation application. However, those claims would be examined by the USPTO and rejected if there is prior art out there that renders them not-novel or obvious.
