You know intellectual property laws are getting out of hand when companies begin trademarking smells. According to the BBC, a French company recently applied for trademark protection for the smell of fresh strawberries. The claim was denied, not because trademarking a natural smell is batshit insane, but because "smell experts found that instead of just one aroma, strawberries can in fact have up to five different, distinct scents."

But (there's always a 'But'). According to the Associated Press news agency, the EU did grant trademark protection for the smell of freshly cut grass. The smell was registered by a Dutch perfume company that uses it to give tennis balls their aroma.

I don't know a lot about property law, but I'd be interested to hear from a lawyer about what complications this might bring about when Google unveils its new Google Smell (beta) program down the road.

Hat tip: Kevin Drum