Subj : Re: Protecting your code
To   : comp.programming
From : CBFalconer
Date : Tue Aug 02 2005 02:09 pm

mr_reznat@yahoo.com wrote:
> 
> ECRIA's comments regarding patents are generally correct, but a few
> details not quite right.
> 
> As ECRIA wrote, if you are interested in filing a patent application,
> take a look at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) web site or
> contact a registered patent attorney or patent agent.  A directory of
> patent attorneys and patent agents is available on the USPTO web site.
> 
> Note that USPTO fees for filing a patent application and pursuing it
> through to an issued patent are typically about $2000; and only about
> 2/3rds of all patent applications result in issued patents.  If you use
> a patent attorney or a patent agent, legal fees can be an additional
> $5000 to $10,000.
> 
> Also a patent, like a copyright or a trademark, essentially just gives
> you the right to sue someone else for using your intellectual property.
>  You need to enforce your own intellectual property rights by
> negotiating or taking the other party to court.

You sound intelligent, so be aware that even with google you don't
have to write out the context by hand - you can use the normal
quoting mechanism.  See my sig below:

-- 
"If you want to post a followup via groups.google.com, don't use
 the broken "Reply" link at the bottom of the article.  Click on 
 "show options" at the top of the article, then click on the 
 "Reply" at the bottom of the article headers." - Keith Thompson

.