I've been involved with a number of patented products.

In the US today, the reason to get a patent is not to protect your idea, design, invention or product from someone using your work but... to keep someone from patenting your work and suing you for infringement!

A patent needs to be defended against infringement otherwise it looses it's protective value.

I'm currently involved with a product that a patent has been applied for. The design is not novel but the patent is based on novel usage.

In the US the expression "Patent Pending" appears on a lot of products but does not protect an invention until the actual patent is published and/or issued.

The use of the term "patent pending" or "patent applied for" is permitted as long as a patent application has actually been filed. If these terms are used when no patent application has been filed it's considered a deceptive act and can result in substantial fines.

BTW, The abbreviation SGDG appears on a lot of French components. It stands for "Sans Garantie Du Gouvernement" which means without government guarantees... I.E. no governmental protection!

Columbo moment...

The Japanese have traditionally avoided litigations preferring to resolve conflict in other ways. In Japan, companies rarely sue each other (Suntour vs. Shimano)!


verktyg

Chas.