In a message dated 96-11-15 00:05:59 EST, you write:

>Nope.  The patent office required you to have a working model to get a
>patent.  Thus you can't patent an idea for a widget unless you build the
>widget.  You can't patent a process unless you can demonstrate the process
>works.

Not true.... I have one patent and one pending where no prototype has been
developed for demonstration (working models of my others exist).  Working
models are only required if new physical technologies, etc. are used and
untried elsewhere.  The patents I mentioned above are application patents
(unique applications of existing technologies).  An example of patents not
requiring working models comes from a PE exam study guide and involves the
design of a novel method of building a many square mile waste dump.  I am
sure there are many other good examples.

Mark A. Corio
Rochester MicroSystems, Inc.
200 Buell Road, Suite 9
Rochester, NY  14624
Tel:  (716) 328-5850 --- Fax:  (716) 328-1144
http://www.frontiernet.net/~rmi/

***** Designing Electronics For Research & Industry *****