[Patents] novelty and the anti-copycat affect

[mva@df.lth.se (Martin Wahlén)]

> > Yes indeed, I know of alot of companies that are afriad to bring demos to
> > exhibitions due to the reasons you state.
>
> which could be a reason to give them some extra legal weapons against
> copycats, but not a reason to give them patents.  Patents can protect only
> a small percentage of what people are afraid of showing at an exhibition,
> and whether the exhibited feature is an invention or not is irrelevant to
> the issue.

Also, this is probably short term protection (limited time). I agree that
this is probably the optimal solution between the need for protection and
the need for freedom.

Regards, Martin