RE: Dissecting an Epson chip module...

[Austin Franklin <austin@darkroom.com>]

> What matters is whether that idea can be realised,

And you have to provide enough information in the patent that the 'idea' 
can be realized from.  It is insufficient to just provide the idea.

> Do a search on my name in IBM database if you like -
> you will find a dozen or so - just list the countries they were granted
> in.

Unfortunately, there is no data aside from one sentence on each of these, 
aside from the one US one.  Is there a reason that they are not filed as US 
patents?

Before this discussion, I had no idea that patents were so 'different' in 
the UK...I never really looked into it.  Though over 1/2 of the patents 
that come across my desk should not have been granted a patent, in my 
opinion, I now have far more respect for the US patent system than before. 
 At least there is some level of rule in place that requires some substance 
to the patent.

It never ceases to amaze me how much a patent system is and can be abused, 
obviously it's worse outside the US and certainly degrades the value and 
substance that a patent outside the US carries if you can patent ideas, and 
not even have to give an implementation, or understand how to do what it is 
you are patenting.

-
Turn off HTML mail features. Keep quoted material short. Use accurate
subject lines. http://www.leben.com/lists for list instructions.