Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!cs.utexas.edu!execu!sequoia!rpp386!jfh From: jfh@rpp386.cactus.org (John F. Haugh II) Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk Subject: Re: Way to fight trivial patents Message-ID: <18694@rpp386.cactus.org> Date: 4 Nov 90 19:30:42 GMT References: <26987:Oct2220:27:1490@kramden.acf.nyu.edu> <85118@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu> <21791:Nov412:20:2190@kramden.acf.nyu.edu> Reply-To: jfh@rpp386.cactus.org (John F. Haugh II) Distribution: usa Organization: Lone Star Cafe and BBS Service Lines: 21 X-Clever-Slogan: Recycle or Die. [ I don't get trial.misc.legal.software, and inews barfs on such things ] In article <21791:Nov412:20:2190@kramden.acf.nyu.edu> brnstnd@kramden.acf.nyu.edu (Dan Bernstein) writes: >In article <85118@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu> Loyde W Hales writes: >> Does this mean I can't use my product after filing for a patent until it is >> awarded without losing my international claims? > >Once you've filed an application, you can do whatever you want. You make your little invention thingy and mark it "Patent Pending". In the meantime your competition is able to also manufacture that same gadget, since you've not been awarded the patent yet. This doesn't happen that often because the competition must stop making it once the patent is awarded, and they don't know when that will happen. I suspect it would be different with software since software manufacturing costs are so low. -- John F. Haugh II UUCP: ...!cs.utexas.edu!rpp386!jfh Ma Bell: (512) 832-8832 Domain: jfh@rpp386.cactus.org "SCCS, the source motel! Programs check in and never check out!" -- Ken Thompson