[SWLUG] anti-software patents ... I was a patent examiner ... sorry!

[Neil Jones]

On Monday 29 November 2004 18:48, pbhj wrote:
> I'm an ex-Patent Examiner, I worked on G4A (the computing
> classification, "digital data processing") at the Patent Office. I
> worked there for about 6 years, four on computing and reluctantly
> processed some "software" patents. I've been using Linux for 6 years too
> (mainly Slackware).
>
> If you have any specific questions I may be able to help. I resigned to
> start my own business (www.barefoot-ceramics.com
> <http://www.barefoot-ceramics.com> - opening tomorrow [30/11/04]) about
> 3 months ago. Part of my motivation to leave was that I don't have faith
> in the patent system, basically capitalism in general has major suckage.
> Funny [ironic not ha-ha] how patent means "open". I digress.
>
> I personally know most of the Examiners that work on G4A. An info source
> that doesn't seem to have been mentioned is slashdot.org discussions on
> software-patents  - mostly uninformed (and USPTO focussed) but interesting.
>
> As you might imagine, I'm pretty busy but will try to answer any queries
> promptly. Any other Examiners out there??
>
> Cheers
>
> pbhj
>
> PS: Anyone interested in a Newport meeting? How many wall warts would
> such a meeting need? We may be able to make our shop available (we sell
> tea/coffee and a few soft drinks + flapjack/muffiny things) - I'm hoping
> to install Wifi/broadband in the New Year too.

If it is accessible easily by train I might consider comming depending on 
train times.

BTW a lot of the links on your site are pointing to 127.0.0.1 .

--
Neil Jones- Neil at nwjones.demon.co.uk http://www.butterflyguy.com/
"At some point I had to stand up and be counted. Who speaks for the
butterflies?" Andrew Lees - The quotation on his memorial at Crymlyn Bog
National Nature Reserve.