Patents and good ideas.

[J. Tallman]

Hello Listmembers,   I have been watching the list quietly for some time now, and I think I can contribute to the recent "patent and copyright" thread.   I have been responsible (to date) for 5 concepts which were in turn patented by my client/employer in their names.  They did have a unique nature to them and they were fairly mechanical, performing a task in a fashion that no other device had done up to that point.  I tend to agree with the others that most sundials probably don't fit that criteria, which must be met to get a patent granted.  Some do warrant consideration though, such as the unique and very nice piece by Mr. Wenger...       I do not have alot of experience with the actual execution of the application process, since corporate legal guys did all that stuff in my case.  But I did learn something in design school, and I use this technique to "protect" my ideas.  When I have a good enough idea to protect and pursue, I delineate the idea on paper, calling out any design features or specifications that make it unique.  I sign and date the drawing, then I make a copy to keep for reference.  The original goes into a sealed envelope which I then mail back to myself in the US Mail.  When I get it back I file it away unopened, for future use if I would ever have to prove date of conception.  The postmark is accepted (if unopened) in US courts as proof of date on an idea.  This proof is useful if there is a fight over intellectual property, and both people say that they had the idea first.    Since I would rather spend my time dreaming up new ideas, and working on making them real, I never really worry about this stuff too much.  I think that the US Patent & Trademark office has a webpage to give more people access to the process, and I think that a regular person can navigate it themselves now.  I know that you can do a trademark search and application yourself now, and it costs about 350.00 US.     I haven't had much time lately to participate in the discourse on the list, but I commend the ones of you who do contribute so much.  I look forward to the completion of John's FAQ for Sundial novices, because I am one.  I also look forward to Tony's next installment of metalworking techniques and general alchemy for the non-initiated.  Really good job guys.    I have heard it said that Newton was the last man on the planet to actually know everything.  After that the explosion of discovery and knowledge made it impossible for one person to know it all. I am reminded of this fact quite often by the wonderful woman I married.  The important thing is to know how to learn...and I know where to go for sundials.   Jim Tallman Senior Designer     FX Studios