OK, I called with the PTO's electronic filing hotline and explained the
situation - I want to file (true BTW) but don't have a Windows system,
so could I get a copy of the XML format?
Answer: The XML format is unavailable, and apparently the xml gets
packaged together with a PDF into yet another format (also proprietary),
so to my question, "so what you're saying is, either I purchase a Windows
system or I'm out of luck", he paused for < half second and said "yup,
that's pretty much it".
So ... the Patent System ... which was invented to promote progress
through the open sharing of knowledge ... has been co-opted by the Forces
of Secret Technology!
Is this astonishing or what.
- Judah
On Mon, 15 Aug 2005, Judah Milgram wrote:
On Mon, 15 Aug 2005, Michael Hughes wrote:
Imagine if there was a bill on the table for allowing patents to only
be submitted in a Word .doc file... or only written with a Bic Pen on Mead
Paper. I'd be suspicious about a behind-the-scenes deal between Mead and
the US Patent Registry. Not very indicative of a 'Free-market Society.'
Well ... guess what - they're already on the way! The Patent & Trademark
Office has an electronic filing system that requires Windows 2000 or XP. Even
Macs are out! Fortunately, you can still file a paper application ... but how
long do you suppose that will last.
I thought I read that the submission format is XML which, if properly
documented could allow an open-sorcerer to write an editor. But I can't find
that now. Two interesting links:
http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/efs/downloads/systemreq.htm
and this FAQ entry:
http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/efs/faq/fileformats.htm
which poses the question, "Why is it unacceptable to electronically file an
application saved in Portable Document Format (PDF)?" - and doesn't answer
it! Subversive meta-comment from a Unix-loving documentation guy?
I work for an online university and am moderately disgusted that we
just moved all student records over to a system that *only* works with
Internet Explorer. We just excluded (or caused significant inconvenience
for) all students who choose to avoid IE for reasons of convenience, cost
and/or security. (I'm one of them.) I had no power to change this, but
maybe I can help catch someone else from making the same mistake.
The "IE-only" syndrome is out of control. I see no solution.
Judah
