The patent-trade secret decision: an industrial perspective

Article Abstract:

The decision to publicize company inventions and protect them under patent law or to preserve the information as trade secrets can be made based on numerous complex factors. The company's industry and whether the invention is mechanical, electronic or chemical can be significant. If, as with mechanical inventions, reverse engineering is easily accomplished, patent protection is more appropriate. In the chemical realm, trade secrets are easier to protect, but patents may be more easily gained by chemical researchers because inventions can be more easily distinguished from prior art.

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Patenting your Website: it's all a matter of design

Article Abstract:

Obtaining design patents may be the wise alternative to copyright registration for World Wide Web sites. Copyright protection is shaky after the finding of uncopyrightability by the US Supreme Court in Lotus Development Corp. v. Borland International, Inc. Design patents have relatively secure, though limited protection. Web page design must be inventive to be patentable in the same fashion as computer icons. The extended Patent Office approval time is a negative factor, but ultimately patent protection may be worthwhile.

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Analysis of the new patent laws enacted November 29, 1999

Article Abstract:

The author describes, analyzes, and evaluates changes to the Patent Code made Nov. 29, 1999 which will become effective one year from that date.

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