P3D patent

[roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (John W Roberts)]

>Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1998 11:11:38 -0600
>From: Jonathan Gross <jonathan.gross@xxxxxxxxxxxx>

>I have received a number of requests off line for more detailed
>information concerning HP's 35mm Slide adapter.  Therefore, I thought
>I'd make this short follow-up posting.

Thanks for posting the information.

>You'll notice that HP is very careful to display the patent number on
>the device because it is so simple (and elegant, I might add).  I'm not
>a lawyer, but I think it is possible to make one for your own use, as
>long as you don't sell it. 

That sounds like a not-quite-correct interpretation of the descriptions of the
law in books on the patent process. My interpretation is that making one for
your own *use* without the permission of the patent holder would not be
permitted, but there are specific situations in which you can make one as
part of an effort to advance the technology. As a classic example, after
Alexander G. Bell had patented the telephone, Edison was able to design and
build a substantially improved model as proof of concept for his own invention,
but neither he nor anyone else could build them for *use*, without Bell's
permission.

In the case of the slide scanner adapter, it is possible that redesigning it
for stereo format could be interpreted as such an advancement of technology,
but I would recommend that anyone who wants to try this first become more
familiar with the laws on this matter. I would imagine that to avoid legal
problems it would be a good idea to very carefully document any operation of
such a device, for example to show that it was only utilized for test patterns,
and not for family photos, scenics, web page contents, contest entries, etc.

Of course, if it turns out to work well, the next challenge is to try to
negotiate some sort of licensing agreement with HP.

(My opinions. :-)
John R


------------------------------