From: Allen Dick <[log in to unmask]>

>I recall, early on, there was talk about applying for patents to prevent others less principled  from doing so and defending the beekeepers rights to use all the variations, so I don't want to judge.  Perhaps that is the goal behind the applications, but we have no assurances.

allen, i understand you are simply reporting what you know, but the above makes no sense.  unless there have been specific changes to how the patent process works in this country, if person X has a patentable idea and publishes it on their website, in a magazine, or even talks about it (without a non-disclosure agreement in place) with others, person Y cannot obtain a patent on it.

something as simple as a USDA report, bulletin, or an article in a bee magazine would make it impossible for "less principled" persons/companies to obtain a legit patent...not that they couldn't obtain a patent, but it would lose in court very easily.  nothing is preventing the patent holder from giving out free licenses to anyone who wants to use the formula.

deknow

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