P3D Patents

[John Toeppen <toeppen@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Patented items need not work.  Reduction to practice is not required. 
Other patent points:
It is generally good practice to keep a notebook in ink.  Have it signed
and dated by a witness when significant works are noted.  Record the
invention as soon as possible, draft the claims first, conduct a patent
seach, if unique the begin writing the patent ASAP, and file ASAP.
If the device does not work don't waste your time. 
If the information does not lead to a profitable product don't file.  If
you may want to do it later, and want to protect your right to use the
technology then publish.  Once it is in the public domain no one can
patent it; this is what Sir David Brewster did with his stereo viewer.
Patenting can be a real waste of time and money.  Especially if you have
not seached until you submit! Also, you may be telling your competition
how you simply achieved your results.  They can then develop a
workaround.  Bell and Howell would provide me with all recent patents
issued on projection and electrophotographic systems for just such a
purpose.  I have a few patents of my own, all on lasers and optical
systems.
Oh, you can also date equipment by adding two or three years to the last
patent date or date of the patent number on the product.

John Toeppen
http://home.pacbell.net/toeppen/


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