From marmalade@x-stream.co.uk Sun, 21 Nov 1999 17:56:01 -0000
Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 17:56:01 -0000
From: Nick Fleming marmalade@x-stream.co.uk
Subject: [Patents] Re: [Patents] Re: Patents digest, Vol 1 #99 - 2 msgs

> > Excerpt from Kernel Traffic (http://kt.linuxcare.com/kt19991115_43.html):
> > 
> >        It would be interesting for someone to set up a www.priorart.org
> >        web site, dedicated towards finding and exposing stupid USPTO

I think a site that held purely expired patents would be a good start,
 as this would give a clear indication of what IS in the public domain,
rather than what might be.
            Also Donations of 20 year old software / source
code would help as this would also constitute prior
art / public domain software, as long as the copyright issues can be
resolved of course. Many programs written for home computers
in the late 70's, early 80's for example,  which may have contained
patented material will soon go beyond the allowed period for
patent protection - ideal material for prior art / public domain
reference ?

Regards,

NickF.





