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From: ben@hpldola.HP.COM (Benjamin Ellsworth)
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Re: patents -- (disclosure)
Message-ID: <11060003@hpldola.HP.COM>
Date: Fri, 2-Oct-87 15:52:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: hpldola.11060003
Posted: Fri Oct  2 15:52:16 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 7-Oct-87 05:03:43 EDT
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Organization: HP Logic Design Oper. -ColoSpgs
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In the process of investigating an idea I actually talked to a 
patent lawyer.  Yes, a real one who was being paid real money to 
answer MY questions.  I asked him specifically about proof of 
invention.

He said that the thing to do was to keep a notebook and sign and
date EACH page.  Then when the ideas are complete, have AT LEAST ONE
other expert in that area read the pertinent parts of the notebook and
leave a notarized signature.  If the experts will summarize and then
sign it's even better.  He reccomended more than one because you want
at least one signer a live for testifying in any legal action.

This lawyer could have been a bozo, but I don't think so.  I hope that
this part of the discussion can be put to rest.

Now, can anybody say whether or not algorithms can be patented, and
cite precedent?

cheers,

Benjamin Ellsworth
{netland}!hplabs!hpldola!ben
(303) 590-5849
Hewlett Packard
P.O. Box 617
Colorado Springs, Colorado  80901-0617