[sdiy] Patents

[Byron G. Jacquot]

> I have three patents. Rather my past employers have three patents with
> my name listed on the patents.
> 
> Most often patents are to protect a particular product design not to
> necessairly advance the state of the art.
> 
> With my three patents and $3 I can get an espresso at Starbucks.

The award of a patent essentially means you (or your attorneys) 
filled out the paperwork correctly.  The validation of a patent comes 
when it's challenged in court, and it doesn't fall apart.

Big companies often use patents as bargaining chips, which is often 
where their value is for the holders.  "Let us license X, in exchange 
for you licensing Y."	

Byron Jacquot