Raul Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >Sure -- in the case of U.S. patents, they're only good for 20 years > >after they're issued. [But remember that they also cover the period > >between the time they're filed and the time they're issued, and this > >period can cover a number of years.]
On Sun, Sep 17, 2000 at 04:27:47PM -0400, Chloe Hoffman wrote: > Just a correction. U.S patent term is now, upon issuance, 20 years from the > filing date of the patent. It used to be 17 years from the date of > grant/issuance. While that's true, if I remember right it's irrelevant in the context of RSA. [Wasn't the RSA patent filed around some time around 1976 then issued in 1980 under the 17 year rule, then automatically extended to 20 years when that law was passed?] > Also, the patent is only effective from grant - no liability for > infringement before issuance of the patent while it moves through > the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Soon, when publication in > the U.S. goes into effect, there will be a right to "reasonable > compensation/royalty" (something like that - I don't have the wording > around) for the period after publication (almost always 18 months from > the filing date) of the patent application and issuance of the patent. Hmm... Since Legi-Slate went out of business, I've not known of an easy way of finding out the status of new laws. [And, in this case, it looks like my memory has gotten the better of me.] I don't suppose you know of a web site that tracks such things? [I know, I can always visit the library, except right now I'm about 800 miles from the library I might normally use.] Thanks, -- Raul
