ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Lisa-
In simple terms you can copyright the written word. No filing is needed.
You can trademark the image or wording that represents an organization
or product. This needs to be filed.
Patents are filed with the USPTO.
For someone building an interactive exhibit, a patent isn't probably
worth the expense. And, it might not qualify for a "utility patent." A
"design patent" wouldn't be worth the effort as someone could easily alter
the design and build their own version.
If they create a device that is new, not obvious, and is useful - say
something to help you see the phenomena - that could be patented. But the
high costs of a patent makes it prohibitive unless you foresee some solid
income.
The afterschool program could be protected as a copyright - but that
wouldn't stop someone from ripping off (sharing) the ideas that are the
essence of the program.
The ideas are public domain - or trade secrets. It's the packaging that
(often) gives them greater value and allows them to be protected.
Ed Sobey
Ed Sobey, Ph.D.
Northwest Invention Center
2420 178th NE
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 861-8685
www.invention-center.com
www.invention-engine.com
www.kidsinvent.org
www.inventionfact.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "(Lisa Jo Rudy)" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 8:58 AM
Subject: patents, copyrights, and hands-on learning
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
>
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*
>
> Does anyone know how the law works relative to products and programs
> developed for hands-on learning?
>
> FOR EXAMPLE: it seems that the idea of building an electromagnet out of a
> magnet, a wire, and a compass is out there for anyone to use. No one owns
the
> idea. Yet many publishers copyright books that contain that activity. Is
it
> even POSSIBLE to own the idea? What if you built one and packaged it for
sale?
>
> OR... If someone builds an interactive exhibit device that allows visitors
to
> experiment with properties of light, can they own the concept of such a
> device? If not... can they own the design for their own exhibit device
(as a
> patent)? If they do, could they sue someone who build a similar device
based on
> their patented design?
>
> OR... If someone comes up with a really nifty new way to present science
as
> an afterschool program and develops a handbook and kit to support that
> program....do they own the program? Do they own copyright on the book?
What about
> the kit? And... what if the kit includes "educational chestnuts" like
> tangrams or water rockets?
>
> I KNOW that many museums, in particular the exploratorium, seem to be in
the
> business of packaging and selling hands-on science -- but I don't grasp
the
> law behind it. As a writer, I've asked the lawyers at Scholastic, and
they seem
> to think that most of the ideas are in the public domain. But if that's
true
> -- then how can they be packaged and sold?
>
> Thanks so much for your insights!
>
> Lisa
>
> Lisa Jo Rudy, Writer/Consultant
> 625 Chelten Hills Drive
> Elkins Park, PA 19027
> <A HREF="www.lisarudy.com">www.lisarudy.com</A>
> 215-635-9735
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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