P3D Re: Patents

[michaelk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Michael Kersenbrock)]

> If a patent is able to be implemented, but the inventor chooses not to carry
> it to that point or can't for various reasons, then he/she loses the rights
> to that patent at some point in time, allowing someone else to come along
> and use it freely. One has to maintain patent rights to carry it's coverage
> to full term. Part of the reason for the documentation is precisely so
> others have access to it later in time.

Yes, there is a fee you pay the patent office (couple grand that 
I recall) on a periodic basis to maintain the force of the patent.  If
a company or person isn't actually using it, the fees aren't paid
for practical reasons, and it becomes public domain.  However they
can pay the fee even if they don't want to use it.  If they want to.

Mike K.


> 
> Larry Berlin
> 
> Email: lberlin@xxxxxxxxx
> http://www.sonic.net/~lberlin/
> http://3dzine.simplenet.com/
> 
> 


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