b.cognosco

On-line print provider iPrint appears prepared to defend itself against the patent infringement lawsuit brought by ImageX. This is a good thing. Such suits are the most common way that patent legitimacy can be established.

In a suit such as this, the true merits of a patent are usually worked out. The patent claims are dissected and the plaintiff has the opportunity to validate their inventions (some, or all, of which may be novel and legitimate.) The defendant has the opportunity to introduce prior art and attempt to invalidate any or all the claims.

According to Peter Wayner, in a chapter entitled "How Can They Patent That?" of the Canto Institute book "Copy Fights", such suits actually work pretty well.

The good news is that most of the truly silly patents will fall by the wayside, and the patent system still works for protecting serious and important ideas, providing ample rewards for the folks who do something like cure AIDS. The bad news is the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office isn't particularly helpful, and the process only works when fueled by plenty of cash.

Standing patents likely won't be overturned by the court. Some of the claims may be narrowed, some may be struck, or all the claims may be upheld as is. But the full extent of the patent is clarified and the claims are well-documented as a result of such suits. Future claims around the same processes may also be clarified by the suit.

In the end, if the suit runs it's course, the industry will have a clearer understanding of the uniqueness and value of the ImageX claims, and other innovators will be better equipped to either work within the patents or work around them.

iPrint Technologies Responds to ImageX Lawsuit
[...]ImageX's recent lawsuit is based on a patent that was issued on August 6, 2002. iPrint has not yet had an opportunity to fully evaluate this new patent, but believes that ImageX's claims are without merit. iPrint intends to vigorously defend these allegations. [...] [ Source: WhatTheyThink]

Thoughtful Association

2:55:13 PM

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Anytime I can associate myself with the thoughtful and well thought of, I stand to improve my own character by exposing myself to theirs. If we can put this together AKMA is more than welcome, IMHO.

Prairie bloggers convocation.

Chicago Get-together?.

Klogging in Chicago. I'll be in Chicago for a conference in early October and I'm very interested in meeting knowledge-focused webloggers in the area. [Blunt Force Trauma]

Terry - there's a bunch of us. Jenny, Jim, Eric, Mike, me and others I'm sure I'm forgetting. We keep promising each other a get-together - maybe this is our excuse? [tins ::: Rick Klau's weblog]
Maybe we should also look to include AKMA in our group. Not specifically focused on knowledge management but much deep thought about the web in general. [ Source: McGee's Musings]