Technology patents have been getting a bad name recently, but given that patent officers do not need to be subject specialists, it's not surprising that patents are being approved for things that are not exactly original.
Maybe opening the process up like this will be the answer, and will allow tech company money to be spent on innovation, not lawyers.

Glyn from Open Rights Group sez, "The UK government is asking for you feedback on patent filings. Some applications have under 10 days remaining on the website and need your comments. So if you know of any prior art on Automatic document generator using templates; The Automatic or semi-automatic use of profile for a set top box; or any of the other patents on the system please provide feedback. If some thing is preventing you from providing feedback, please leave comments explaining the problem."

Peer to Patent UK (Thanks, Glyn!)

from Boing Boing: http://bit.ly/p60VqK