Re: [Patents] nice Greg newspeak lapse

[Erik Josefsson <ehj@cleosan.com>]

Hartmut Pilch wrote:
> > Did Greg really say this:
> > "The US, and other countries, have already resolved that argument and 
> > are moving on to expand the patent system to other areas of technology, 
> > such as art and entertainment."
> > ?
>  
> Yes, and that shows that Greg's texts are not a typical example of Patent
> Newspeak.  The EPO and Commisson might in substance be saying the same 
> thing, but they wouldn't let normal people notice.

I am not sure I understand what Greg is talking about at all. I was sent 
this in a private mail as examples of "art patents":

   http://www.patenting-art.com/database/dbase1-e.htm

I browsed and found:

"Decorative device for converting street shoes to dress shoes

Abstract

A decorative device for converting street shoes to dress or evening 
shoes, comprising a mounting tab which fits within the shoe at the rear 
thereof and from which there is provided depending decorative links of a 
chain which may be provided with jewels or sequins. A flexible connector 
is provided at the lower end of the decorative links to encircle the 
heel of the shoe to thereby anchor the decorative means in place, 
irrespective of the size of the heel of the shoe. The flexible connector 
includes metal links which are joined together by springs in the form of 
a stretch band."

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=4,026,047

We have "mönsterskydd" in Sweden, which I think translates to "design 
patents". Perhaps it is possible that someone in Sweden would and could 
get "mönstetskydd" on a ""Decorative device for converting street shoes 
to dress shoes". I am not sure, from SePTO (my translation):

"Mönsterskydd means you have exclusive right to a particular design. 
That is the form or the ornamentation of a product you want to sell. A 
mönsterskydd can thus comprise many things like e.g. the looks of a car, 
or a different tooth brush, a shape of a wrapping or flowers on a wallpaper"

http://www.prv.se/guiden/monsterguiden/index.html

Mönsterskydd for a decorative device, no problem. But a patent, no way!

//Erik