On Sat, Feb 08, 2003 at 07:11:22AM -0600, Amanda SubbaRao wrote: > Ok, I'm a little fuzzy about the patent process. Does this mean > a local prof who writes up a little cgi script for students to use > is violating these folks' patent??
Yes. Although a prof probably would not sued, it is a big problem for small businesses. > If so, how did these people manage to get this patent, since there's > a ton of "take tests and polls on the internet" The US Patent system is severely broken and has been for some time. There are far too many patents granted, and too few staff to handle the flood of incoming patent applications. One way to reform the system would be to reduce the term of patents, either systematically (make them all less than 5 years, for example), or individually, by allowing the patent examiner to set the term based on the "quality" of the patent and the expenses in creating the IP of the patent. Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to allow the patent office some judicial recourse to sue or fine submitters of frivolous patent applications. -- "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.erikreuter.net/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
