Why do IBM continuously chase new patents? It's not because they plan to license all unapproved uses of their patents. Rather it's to give IBM leverage in acquisitions of companies. With so many patents owned by IBM, many companies are bound to infringe on some patent owned by IBM.
I don't get why this is such a big fuzz. I can easily imagine that this hint is actually helpfull for quite a few kids out there.
Having loaded up with coffeine, bought a fresh copy of the game and ready to spend the night, I'm sure this comes as a relief (however obvious it may seem in retrospect).