Re(2): 2nd generation VCFs (was: Xpander VCF)

[Ian Fritz]

Martin --

How long does it take to get a patent in Europe?

My experience here is that a US  patent takes at least two years. It's never
seemed easy to me.

Every patent I've been on (or even heard of, for that matter) has gotten an
initial rejection. The USPO calls them "final rejections", but we call them
"first final rejections". The basis for the rejection is usually some prior
art, so it seems to me they check for this quite carefully. Remember, you
can't just look at the drawings and decide if there is prior art, you have
to look at what exactly is claimed. And you have to understand how claims
work.

It doesn't make sense to narrow your claims to the point of uselessness, but
I suppose many people do that.

  Ian

>
> I've got the feeling (and my coleagues too) that it is relatively easy
> to obtain an US patent. They don't seem to check very much if it works,
> if it makes sense or if anything previous like this exists. Some european
> patent offices seem to take greater care.
>
> If you apply worldwide, you will most probably succeed in the USA.
>
> Perhaps the point of view is different: they grant almost everything in
> order to have fats repsonse time, if anyone feels that this particular
> decision is wrong, he may go to court and fight.