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Re: Patents




photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx said:
> I have always dreamed of inventing a money making gadget.  One of my 
> favorite authors is Don Lancaster who writes a regular column in an 
> electronics magazine.  He has a interesting book by the name of {The 
> Incredible Secret Money Machine}. I found it to be fun reading.  If  
> I understand his position correctly, he thinks that in general, 
> patents are a total waste of time and money.  

Well, I'm sorry to disagree with Don Lancaster and you, however I know of 
one corporation who thinks patents are VERY important.  And, believe me, 
Texas Instruments takes their patents _VERY_ seriously.  There's a _LOT_ 
of money involved in licensing, royalties, etc... There have been several 
cases that TI has won regarding patent infringement.

> About 10 years ago, I met a person who had a patent on an automotive 
> gadget. It was a stop light type of display that would mount in the 
> rear window of a vehicle. It displayed green for acceleration, yellow 
> for coasting and red for braking. He had invested over 5 years and 
> many thousands of dollars in getting this patent. Should I ever see 
> him again, I will still ask the same question, "WHY!".

Why? On the off chance that he could get a car manufacturer to start 
installing them in their cars.  Not a very far fetched idea when you 
consider all the cars that currently have to install a  "third rear 
taillight".

Okay, enough off topic stuff...  back to great 3D
Ron


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