Re: [Phys-l] Patent laws [was Video Encyclopedia of Physics Demos (ownership)]

[Jack Uretsky <jlu@hep.anl.gov>]

In the limited circumstances postulated, I agree.  The patent holder has 
the exclusive right to make, use, and sell his invention in the US.  By 
The purchaser has bought the right to use the invention under the terms of 
the purchase.  Whether the purchaser adds to the invention is immaterial. 
The purchaser may not, however, sell the improved invention without the 
consent of the original patent holder.
				Regards,
					Jack


On Wed, 18 Oct 2006, John Denker wrote:

> on 10/18/2006 10:00 PM Ludwik Kowalski said the following:
> > This thread made me think about a hypothetical situation with a car. An
> > inventor bought a car and then invented something to improve
> > performance. He adds this gadget to the existing structure and drives a
> > better car. Is he violating a patent law?
>
> No ... unless his improvement is a re-invention of something covered
> by another patent.
>
> Indeed a big part of the rationale for having patent laws at all
> is to encourage refinements and further improvements.
>
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