Sean Breheny <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU> wrote:

> I thought that to obtain or uphold a patent, one had only to prove
> that their idea was not common knowledge and was not in common
> useage at the time of the patent application. I didn't think that it
> mattered if there was prior artwork which was only known to a few
> people. If this were the case, most patents could be contested
> because most inventions are "re-invented" by several people and only
> one or a few ultimately decice to pursue it and get a patent.
>
> Interestingly enough, I do know that it is possible for two patents
> to overlap and therefore, unless the two patent owners work
> together, neither can produce their idea.

Guys:

This is getting out of hand... I think we're starting to get way
off-topic for the PICLIST.

For a very basic idea of how US patent law works, visit the US Patent
and Trademark Office's web site... Try their "General Information"
page at:

    http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/

Sean:  For answers to the questions implied by your comments, go to
the web site and click on the "What can be patented", "Novelty and
other conditions for obtaining a patent", and "Interferences" links.

-Andy

=== Andrew Warren - fastfwd@ix.netcom.com
=== Fast Forward Engineering - Vista, California
=== http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/2499