I think this thread has been short-circuited... Ben, it sounds like there might be some confusion(?), I believe they were using "genetic algorithms", roughly speaking a form of AI, which they probably wrote themselves ... as the potentially-confusing replies implied, you would use a compiler of some sort (gcc, f77, or many others) to compile such code -- and editors (like vi, ed, or others) to edit the code before compiling -- and probably also to write-up your results, in some form that shows WHAT you want to patent, and why it deserves a patent, either in entirety, or as working materials for a patent lawyer, who would (upon payment of $500-$5000 or so) write it up and submit the patent proposal, and represent its defense. To really answer your question, it depends what kind of patent you are trying to get. There are many technology patents that don't require technology to create/develop, like some new user-interface feature. You have to prove a bunch of things, for instance that it is unique and original. I hope this helps answer your question... basically, if you want to make software that generates new *discoveries* that are patentable, you'll have to be an expert in the subject domain you're working in, and pay lawyers to properly and successfully apply for the patent(s). It is possible to go it alone, but much easier for others to steal your IP, and from what I understand the legal process is quite complicated and lengthy. A specialized breed of lawyer exists, which does patent research, to help prove that your new idea does not conflict with existing patents...
You can review the current US patent database, including not-yet-approved applications online at: http://www.uspto.gov/patft/ some international resource exist, too: http://www.european-patent-office.org/dg1/ssp/index.htm http://www.european-patent-office.org/inpadoc/index.htm http://www.epoline.org/epoline/Epoline?language=EN&page=register&b=NS this company also has a lot of research online -- IBM used tohave a greatpatent DB online, before USPTO went online; now IBM points to these guys: http://www.delphion.com/research/ cheers! BenB On Wed, 2003-02-12 at 20:06, Ben Huot wrote: > I was reading in scientific american about how they put together a > beowulf cluster with pentium IIs and they were able to invent patented > products with genetic programs that used natural selection, mutation, > etc. Are ther any open source products that I could use to get a patent > with? -- -- Ben Barrett Software & Systems Engineer counterclaim Sys Admin, Installation, Consulting Phone: 541.484.9235 Fax: 541.484.9193 Cell: 541.543.1422 _______________________________________________ Eug-LUG mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mailman.efn.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/eug-lug
