If you just want to keep others from patenting something, I believe a less expensive route than acquiring your own patent is simply to publish a paper on it in a public venue, like an academic journal. Having said that, these days it seems that anybody can patent anything, and get around prior art simply by introducing a minor twist.
I need to disclaim the above by saying the I am not a lawyer, and I'm not qualified to give legal advice. You get what you pay for. -dallan > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Thomas Haws > Sent: Monday, April 10, 2006 10:58 AM > To: Steven H. McCown; LDS Open Source Software > Subject: Re: [Ldsoss] Dare I say it ... patents ... > > The other day I had one of those Big Ideas (for a > mass-produced solar cooker gadget) and my thoughts > automatically started to go down the Patent path. I had to > correct myself by remembering that any innovation I introduce > is for the whole world (to glorify the Father) and not for my > own benefit. > > But on further reflection, I remember that Patenting as a > defensive move is wise. One can secure a patent for the > express purpose of keeping a technology Free, lest a more > selfish person patent it in the vacuum. > > Wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove, that. > -- > Tom Haws 480-201-5476 > "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no > causes that I am prepared to kill for" Gandhi > _______________________________________________ > Ldsoss mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.ldsoss.org/mailman/listinfo/ldsoss > _______________________________________________ Ldsoss mailing list [email protected] http://lists.ldsoss.org/mailman/listinfo/ldsoss
