> I have to disagree slightly. The USPTO does a pretty thorough job of
> comparing one's claims against their dabase in order to
> search out novelty or originality.

They might do such a job, even do it thoroughly, but even then they are
limited by their database which is apparently (from the flood of trivial
software patents - whether worded as such or worded as to claim a
material process) very restriced, at least in the software area.

Wouter van Ooijen

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Van Ooijen Technische Informatica: www.voti.nl
consultancy, development, PICmicro products

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