[Patents] How to prevent a patent

[Tom E. Turner tom@gnu.org]

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   From: Andrew Weaver <Andrew.Weaver@tecnomen.fi>
   Date:  Mon, 12 Feb 2001 13:24:53 +0200
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   Am I right in assuming that all I need to do to get a patent (assuming no
   prior art) is to describe it and apply to the relevent offices? 

Yup.

   If so, how can I "publish" an idea that I currently have in order that 
   nobody would be able to patent the idea?

A published idea is considered prior art that prevent patents.

   I ask this because I recently described my idea to some persons and I would
   like to make sure that they do not patent it - that is, I would like to
   prevent anyone from patenting it including myself.

So publish early and often. 

   Kind Regards

   Andy Weaver


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