On Thu, 17 Jul 2003 07:09:19 -0600, Micro Eng wrote:

> In the states, you have up to a year to file a patent for a product that has
> been released to the public domain.  Of course, generally you file before
> you release it.  For foreign patents, I believe you can't apply once its
> been released.

Yes, in Britain the rule is:  "Don't tell anyone about it until you have the Patent" because once it's public,
it's not patentable!

Also, you can't patent an idea, only an object.  So if you have the idea to make left-handed screwdrivers,
only the design(s) you submit is covered by the patent, not *any* left-handed screwdriver that anyone else may
make to a different design.

> And if multiple applications are filed, first one in wins.

Absolutely!

 Cheers,

 Howard Winter
  St.Albans, England

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