Re: Javascript and Microsoft Windows
The Magpie wrote:
It is interesting to note that over 350,000 patents are filed each year
with the US Patent Office (Microsoft alone filed over 3,000 in 2005,
I'll bet IBM filed a similar number). It is absurd of anyone to think
that the fact that a patent is granted means that the "invention" is
therefore guaranteed to actually be patentable - there is absolutely no
way that the US Patent Office has the time or resources to thoroughly
vet each and every application. That task is left to others who wish
to challenge the patent.
The purpose of filing patents is now a defensive business practice -
note IBM's reaction to the SCO case. They immediately returned fire by
accusing SCO of breaching a bunch of IBM patents, for no other reason
than to make SCO spend a fortune defending themselves and reduce the
funds available for their case against IBM (I am not supporting SCO's
case here, just pointing out a recent use of patents as a defensive
strategy).
--
Rob
The Magpie wrote:
Peter Olcott wrote:
Actually, it isn't and any patents *without* prototypes are considered
"pending" by most offices until demonstrated. I am aware that in the USA
they have made a practice of allowing such patent claims and this has
led to a disaster in patent law there... which is why so many nations
are in patent dispute with the US.
"The Magpie" <usenet@mpresto n.demon.co.ukwr ote in message
news:ec1gdm$ai6 $2$8300dec7@new s.demon.co.uk.. .
That is not how patents work. Legally filing a patent is equivalent to building
a prototype, the legal term for this is constructive reduction to practice.
news:ec1gdm$ai6 $2$8300dec7@new s.demon.co.uk.. .
The answer? It isn't possible - and what is more, if you do not have a
prototype or a demonstration of it in operation, then your patent is not
valid anyway.
prototype or a demonstration of it in operation, then your patent is not
valid anyway.
a prototype, the legal term for this is constructive reduction to practice.
"pending" by most offices until demonstrated. I am aware that in the USA
they have made a practice of allowing such patent claims and this has
led to a disaster in patent law there... which is why so many nations
are in patent dispute with the US.
with the US Patent Office (Microsoft alone filed over 3,000 in 2005,
I'll bet IBM filed a similar number). It is absurd of anyone to think
that the fact that a patent is granted means that the "invention" is
therefore guaranteed to actually be patentable - there is absolutely no
way that the US Patent Office has the time or resources to thoroughly
vet each and every application. That task is left to others who wish
to challenge the patent.
The purpose of filing patents is now a defensive business practice -
note IBM's reaction to the SCO case. They immediately returned fire by
accusing SCO of breaching a bunch of IBM patents, for no other reason
than to make SCO spend a fortune defending themselves and reduce the
funds available for their case against IBM (I am not supporting SCO's
case here, just pointing out a recent use of patents as a defensive
strategy).
--
Rob
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