From poiqwe@excite.com  Fri Dec 15 01:39:46 2000
Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 17:39:46 -0800 (PST)
From: Erik Josefsson poiqwe@excite.com
Subject: [Patents] swpat source

Steve Probert wrote:
>Source code is always published with
>a patent specification - when the 
>applicant files source code that is.

Could you compile and run any of the swpat code
that is published in UK? If not, why not?

If the monopoly/publicity principle should be upheld,
wouldn't it be reasonable to file working examples of
what the invention does?

Why is not source code to a swpat compulsory?

(In the case of the "perpetual motion machine", I heard that it's a standard
patent office joke allways to ask for a working model before filing the
patent.)

>In many cases the program listing forms an appendix which is open to
>public inspection (at the Patent Office) but not printed, primarily
>because of the cost and bulk. 

So you can provide the monopoly, but not the publicity because of the cost
and bulk?

//Erik

(I'm not arguing - I have a language problem ;-)





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