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Patents, how little is patentable?

  • 20-06-2003 2:41pm
    #1
    flav0rflav
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 491 ✭✭


    From the Register, re. Dell/Tulip case:
    Tulip, in a complaint issued in November 2000, alleges that Dell violated its patent (number 5,594,621, 'Motherboard for a computer of the AT type, and a computer of the AT type comprising such motherboard') that describes a way to connect PCI and ISA cards to an AT motherboard. The patent centres on "placing the riser card comprising connectors for both ISA and PCI expansion cards in a connector arranged on the side of the motherboard of a computer of the AT type rather than in a connector arranged centrally of the motherboard".

    Any patent lawyers around?

    When will they (the authorities) turn around and say "Hah, naff off. You've just put the connector at the side, instead of the middle."


Comments

  • #2
    BigEejit
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,739 ✭✭✭BigEejit


    There was a while there in the States when the patent office was completely swamped and just to get through the numbers they would just give a cursory look at the application and because of the stupid legalese type descriptions loads of daft ones got through ....
    The unusual part of this case is that Tulip went after a Large company without going after some "small fry" first so that they would have a better legal case....


  • #3
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 92,241 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    They are trying to claim back rights on UNIX

    There is a university where one of the researchers patented DNA manulipation - and rather than challenge it other companies paid $1,000 dollars...

    Back in the days of the steam engine the crank was patented (not A type of crank)


  • #4
    dod
    Closed Accounts Posts: 801 ✭✭✭dod


    Patent Lawyers are *notoriously* expensive. You really want to know exactly what you want if you are going to these guys. You will pay an absolute fortune if you go to see them for a general 'Can we talk about what I might be able to patent here' chat.

    I do know of a few of them, but I am reticent to effectively advertise them here for free because they will fleece you with fees. If you really need to know a few names I can of course post details.

    If you are looking for general patent and patentability information and for some excellent material on protection of Intellectual Property, you could do worse than start on the Enterprise Ireland site. They have some brilliant material available for free, material that you would otherwise pay a fortune for from the professionals. If you are looking for patent advice in the context of a business, they also have an excellent patenting division in their unit in Glasnevin.

    For a starting point on patents and patentability (specifically in an Ireland context) , try here: http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/biores-irl/epispark/patents_for_beginners.htm

    They also have a pretty comprehensive guide on Intellectual Property protections and the eligibility or defensibility of various protections here:
    http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/biores-irl/epispark/index.htm


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