[linux-audio-dev] a new patent to worry about

[Erik de Castro Lopo]

On Tue, 24 Aug 2004 16:09:37 +0000
Jennifer Dillon <dmidi at l4l.ie> wrote:

> Do the new patent laws allow somebody to 
> patent methods that are already in the public domain???

Currently the the USPTO is allowing just about anything to 
be patented and the PTO simply doesn't have the manpower to
do proper prior art searches. This effectively means that
something already in the public domain could end up being
patented by someone.

However, if prior art existsm the patent can be challenged 
and overturned.

Erik
-- 
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
  Erik de Castro Lopo  nospam at mega-nerd.com (Yes it's valid)
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
Fundamentalist : Someone who is colour blind and yet wants everyone
else to see the world with the same lack of colour.