[OT] Re: Geoworks and their patent

[Reynolds, Gregg]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Edward C. Zimmermann [mailto:edz at bsn.com]
> Sent: None

> I think one needs to understand the rules inspectors are 
> working under: 
>  The Manual of Patent Examining Procedure: 
http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/index.html
 see especially Chapter 21 http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/21.txt

Even when an inspector finds an appication to be "horse shit", I've been
told
by several inspectors at US and European agencies, they still issue if the
basic
formal criteria are met. Today's "true inspectors" are thus the courts so
its a
battefield for lawyers and not inventors..

I've heard the same.  Looks like there's a very nasty combination of bad
laws, underfunded agencies, overworked civil servants, and corrupt
politicians.  So maybe the thing to do would be to write one's Congressional
representatives in hopes of actually informing them of what is happening.
Very polite handwritten letters probably have the most influence.  Or
pressure one's government to just say no to patent pressure from the US.  

It's fun, but this thread is getting pretty remote from XML.  Maybe it
should migrate to another mailing list?

-gregg

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