Quote:
Originally Posted by shousa
So roughly a patent is given about the same time the actual kindle is released.
Does this not mean that the kindle's plans were made well before the patent was lodged?
Can someone state in a patent, "I patent an ebook with wireless" so then all others cannot make it?
What if (a) the circuitry is either standard (lets face it wireless not new technology) which means it was going to be done anyway that way or (b) the kindle went about it their own way? - does this mean the patent still can be enforced? If it can then it makes no sense to me.
If that is the way it works how about this: "I hereby patent a device which will <insert everything you can think of here> eg anti-gravity belt, pen that does not use ink, car which is nuclear, dog kennel with automatic door, toilet which makes a burping sound, business tie which ties itself, shoes with air-conditioning, hat with bird waste deflector, laser gun steak cooker etc etc.
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I am NOT a lawyer, but two points here:
Yes the patent was
granted about the same time as the Kindle was released, but it was filed WAY back in 1999. About the same time as some of the early commercial ebook solutions were hitting the market. I think Peanut Press (which would eventually become eReader) and Rocket both started selling to consumers in 1998 or so. Wonder if those will be sticking points.
With regards to patenting a "a device which will <insert everything you can think of here> eg anti-gravity belt, pen that does not use ink...", the key point is that you have to include a workable design. Someone with normal skills in the field (electrical engineering, aerospace design, whatever) should be able to read your patent and find the technical information they need to build a ... whatever. So, yes, if you can explain how to build that anti-gravity belt, write that patent up ASAP!
The Bandit