Title :
Is the Patent Office correctly examining computer-related patent applications? 2
Author_Institution :
Lowe, Price, LeBlanc & Becker, Alexandria, VA, USA
Abstract :
In its discussion of whether the Patent Office is correctly examining computer related patent applications, the paper considers Compton´s multimedia patent. This patent raised the issue of whether the Patent Office had properly discharged its duty. In this case the examiner had changed his mind twice before finally allowing Compton´s patent. The paper considers how re-examination serves as an additional patent validity check, giving the Patent Office another chance to correct errors in the examination process.<>
Keywords :
computer software; copyright; multimedia computing; patents; Compton´s multimedia patent; Patent Office; computer-related patent applications; patent re-examination; patent validity check; Application software; Art; Audio databases; Computer applications; Computer industry; Graphics; Information retrieval; Multimedia databases; Multimedia systems; Shock waves;