In article ,
Buck wrote:

I am no lawyer, but from what I have always heard, if you express a
general idea, that isn't a problem. However, if you are specific, or
offer enough information that someone else can reproduce your idea,
you could lose it.

i.e. 'Modifying the antenna so the angle of radiation shifts several
degrees will improve it considerably' wouldn't hurt your patent idea,
but 'Add a coil at the end with three cw turns overlapping twelve ccw
turns to improve the gain' could jeopardize your patent, or at lease
risk someone racing you to the patent office with an application.

The rules vary somewhat, it seems (I'm not a lawyer either).

Most of the world uses a "first to file" priority rule. Disclosing an
invention before you file, would give someone else the ability to file
for the patent first, and you'd lose.

The United States uses a "first to invent" rule, so in theory the
original inventor has priority even if the invention is disclosed
before filing. Winning the first-to-invent battle can be difficult, I
gather... to prove priority the original inventor would need to have
proof of the date of the discovery. The usual way to do that is to
keep an engineering notebook, date and sign each page and have the
signatures witnessed and/or notarized.

If I recall correctly, there's a limit to the amount of time that the
"first to invent" rule can protect you... one year from the first
public disclosure, I think.

--
Dave Platt AE6EO
Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior
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