Patent change law

Post #289,495 by admin 7/20/07 2:18:59 PM Reply	Patent change law [link\|http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/20/us_patent_reform_bill/\|http://www.theregist...tent_reform_bill/] The US currently awards patents to the first person to invent something. The new law would award a patent to the first person to file for one in relation to an invention, which is the more common method internationally. Does this seem like a bad idea to anyone else? Basically this removes the "prior art" defense, which means that a lot of Open Source stuff, as well as individuals and small companies, will get the shaft. Regards, -scott anderson "Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."
Post #289,499 by JayMehaffey 7/20/07 2:40:53 PM Reply	Nothing to do with prior art The change you mention has nothing to do with prior art, which is still considered when ruling if a patent is valid. The real reason for this change is avoiding arguments over who did it first. In the past companies have gotten into huge court fights when two companies both tried to patent something they had invented a few years previously. The new rules are open to some different abuses, but they are also simple and clear cut. If the patent is issued, whoever filed first gets it. In general these changes seem to be good for computers and electronics. Though any help to open source projects was purely accidental. Jay
Post #289,500 by admin 7/20/07 2:57:52 PM Reply	Ah, ok. I thought that particular clause was regarding validity. Regards, -scott anderson "Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."

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