Actually the document you are referring to is just one way to
establish the earliest date of invention, which is all that the patent
office is interested in. In other words, if someone can prove that
they made the invention prior to the filing of your written document,
then the earlier inventor gets priority.

The patent office determines who is the first inventor by means of an
"interference proceeding". The written document you refer to would be
just one piece of evidence at such a proceeding, but could readily be
overcome by any other convincing evidence of an even earlier date of
invention by someone else.

You can read all about this topic on the patent office web page:

http://www.uspto.gov

Regards
Dave WB4JTT



On 3 Sep 2006 13:30:24 -0700, "art" wrote:

Gentlemen, The regulations at the patent office used to accept a
declaration for a patent claim if the claiment produced a written
description of his invention which was also signed and dated by another
person who stated that he had read it and understood its content, this
document gave the claiment to claim rights over all those that follow
that disclosure.
I seemed to remember that the PTO changed things with respect to how
they will deal with future claims where applications would be printed
to the World when received. Did this have any affect with respect to
the presigned declaration alluded to above?
Any info would be appreciated especially if claims presented to the
patent office provides
seniority over pre dated signed claims that have yet to be forwarded to
the PTO
Regards
Art