I read a few days ago that the patent office is considering withdrawing the
patent.
It was stupid to grant it in the first place, but what is the effect if
patents granted can be withdrawn (as has happened in a few other cases)?
At 12:52 AM 1/12/00 -0700, you wrote:
>> " Dickens applied for the patent in October 1996 "
>>
>> I was using windowing in 1987, so his patent is invalid (prior invention).
>
>The problem now becomes, will these companies choose to challenge the patent
>in court, spending millions of dollars, or will each company alone figure
>it's cheaper to pay this guy than to pay their lawyers.
>
>Apparently, that's been the tactic for many other similar "patent" cases
>lately. What the article termed "submarine patents" for their stealth.
>
>Sad...isn't it?
>
>Let's all be thankful that neither Lucas nor Lehmer decided to patent their
>formula! :-)
>
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