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Re: the patents... (Re: Xybernaut Files Patent)

From: Pete Hardie <>
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 1999 11:56:46 -0400

Aaron Toney wrote:
> 
>         No. Actually if you are filing for a process patent each of the
> components of the system can exsist it is just the method in which they
> are used that needs to be novel. Also if people are using this novel
> process but it is deamed not to be within widely within the public domain,
> such as the laptop in backpack using DragonDictate (tm) then it is a
> still pattentable and solidly so.

Ok, there are 2 parts to this
1) is the combination really novel? -and-
2) does mere lack of widespread prior art use make a non-novel patent valid?

Now (1) is certainly arguable, and perhaps there is some fine point of patent
law that makes a 'novel combination' of existing parts sufficiently different
enough to be patentable - but I'd argue that the patent as described is still
overly broad - it might be construed as applying to a clip-on voice-activated
recorder.

Now (2) is wholly wrong - patents are for innovation, and if prior art exists,
it ain't innovative.

>
>         Basicly betweene these two patents pretty much everyone who puts
> out a wearables patent in the next several years is probiably going to be
> sighting these patents as prior art.

IMSNHO, Xybernaut has shot themselves in the foot - they have made potential
enemies of a vast majority of the wearable community with these patents.

-- 
Pete Hardie                   |   Goalie, DVSG Dart Team
Scientific Atlanta            |
Digital Video Services Group  |

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