‘Pick Up Artist’ Granted Patent

Sometimes the USPTO publishes applications that make you sit back and say, “Really?”

One strong example is a patent I stumbled upon earlier today that is titled “Interpersonal Pursuit Method.”  Although it was published on February 14, 2008, the author is Erik von Markovik, better known as ”The Pick Up Artist.”  The abstract of the patent describes his method of “instructing males regarding three main steps of establishing attraction, building comfort, and seduction.”  Furthermore, von Markovik states that these steps should be executed in sequence, and the male should allot “between four and ten hours, within about seven hours being considered optimal…from the beginning of the process until its conclusion.”

The patent was originally filed in August 2006, and von Markovik has since gained tremendous fame.  In addition to writing a book about his “pick up” tactics, he has been given his own reality TV show on VH1 called “The Pick Up Artist,” where von Markovik goes by the name “Mystery.”

The patent describes von Markovik’s theory in great detail, by first identifying the differences in attraction between men and women.  He then outlines steps for men to build comfort and attraction with a woman by using a combination of negative complements, compliance testing, and statements of interest.

It is unknown why von Markovik decided to patent his technique.  Perhaps now he can sue someone when they use his method to attract women?  Yet one thing is for sure, if the USPTO grants these types of patents, it will give the USPTO a negative public opinion.