[sdiy] Patents

[Kenneth Elhardt]

Fredrick C. writes:
>>Has anyone here ever patented anything? Was it worth the money/effort?
I was thinking the next best thing is to publish (as in on this list), so
that no-one else can patent an idea you have. That way you don't get sued
for using your own ideas.
What do you think?<<

Years ago a friend of mine once said that a good way to copyright something
(might work in your case with patents), is to seal it in an envelope and
mail it to yourself.  That way you'll get the date of the post mark on it as
proof as to when you had the idea.  And in your case, you wouldn't need to
publish it somewhere making it possible for the public to see and use your
idea, just the very thing you're trying to avoid.

-Elhardt