[Gllug] Euro Patent Law

[Rich Walker]

Alain Williams <addw at phcomp.co.uk> writes:

> On Tue, Jul 01, 2003 at 02:56:20PM +0100, Rich Walker wrote:
> > Actually, once a patent has been published by the Patent Office there is
> > a formal period in which an objection can be filed - a chap we know used
> > to, as part of his job, read the publication register and file
> > objections to any patent that might interfere with his companies
> > business...
> 
> And what happens next ?

Your objections are filed with the patent office. The patent owner has
to counter them. Once the patent has been *granted* the observations
cannot change that fact, but before the grant the patent examiner can
refuse the grant.

See http://www.patent.gov.uk/patent/indetail/observations.htm



> 
> * how much does it cost ?

Nil. Nada. Nothing.

> * if you demonstrate prior art is the patent then recinded ?

If the patent hasn't been granted, then it won't be. If the patent *has*
been granted, then the material is published by the patent office and
can be found by people pulling out the public correspondence with the
patent office.

> * does the patent holder have to tell you about challenges to the patent
>   that he is currently hitting you over the head with ?

No - *you* have to go to the Patent Office and ask for the
correspondence about the patent.

cheers, Rich.

> 
> -- 
> Alain Williams
> 
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-- 
rich walker | technical person | Shadow Robot Company | rw at shadow.org.uk
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