[OT] Patents in the USofA [WAS]Re: 2nd generation VCFs (was: Xpander VCF)

[Paul Perry]

>> > OTOH, I heard of a patent application for a method of recovering sunken
>> > ships by filling them with buoyant material such as styrofoam pellets
>> > was denied because of a disney catoon where donald duck tried to float a
>> > ship by filling it with ping pong balls !
>>

Strangely enough, at least in UK law, the description of an 'invention' in a
work
of fiction does NOT constitute prior art (precedent).
This was treated in New Scientist a while ago.

It must be so, otherwise Gyro Gearloose would have cleaned up by now!

paul perry melbourne australia  (finally sucked into this off-topic malestrom)