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Questions tagged [public-domain]

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10 votes
7 answers
3k views

How can I provably put something in the public domain so that someone else can not patent it?

I have a good idea that is non-obvious and new. I want to make this technology (a new encryption technique) available for everyone to use, and keep it entirely patent-free, including myself. I have ...
orlp's user avatar
  • 201
8 votes
3 answers
516 views

Is there a central anti-patent database for openly developed and abandoned inventions?

Sites like HalfBakery and this shared Google Doc act as open repositories for potentially patentable inventions. In effect, these sites act as anti-patent databases because the inventions are never ...
syedkarim's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
22k views

Is an expired patent in the public domain?

From what I've been reading about US patents, once a patent has expired, it enters the public domain and can be freely used. The patent I was looking at was filed on 1/1999 and published in 10/2000. ...
Force Flow's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
185 views

If a medicine is listed in an ancient book, can it still be patented?

I have seen many patents related to use of herbs in medicines, like some homemade remedy for cough syrup etc. A large number of such remedies are already listed in many ancient medical books, one ...
Mangat Rai Modi's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
170 views

Defensive publication and public domain

Are folks who publish design details, implementing an idea, putting that idea's implementation into the public domain? Put another way... have these publishers, whether they wanted to or not: ...
JSH's user avatar
  • 429
3 votes
4 answers
592 views

How to release an existing patent into the public domain?

Suppose I own a patent that has not expired. How do I legally and reliably transfer it to the public domain?
Alex Williams's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
94 views

Does usage of a website constitute public disclosure of the patentable server components for the website?

Does usage of a website constitute public disclosure of the patentable server components for the website? In other words: will the grace period start for server components as soon as users start ...
user2908444's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is U.S. Patent 6578010 in the public domain?

Is this patent under the public domain? Does a patent being on "public domain" mean it can be used by anyone without a license from the patent holder? Or that it has been published by the patent ...
jerielmari's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
120 views

Do patentless idea implementations published on a web site enter the public domain?

If someone publishes build instructions for an idea on their web site, and never pursues patent protection, does that idea and its implementation: Enter the public domain? If so, when? If not, why? ...
JSH's user avatar
  • 429
1 vote
1 answer
475 views

Can an idea be released into the public domain while patent is pending?

I understand that a successful patent application can take several years from first filing to granted. I'm trying to understand what options a startup has in making progress on developing the product ...
James Allen's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
249 views

Availibility to the public domain

From my limited understanding of the patent system, if I were to invent something but I didn't file for a patent, then someone else could still patent my idea. If I want to keep my invention open, is ...
cspirou's user avatar
  • 111
1 vote
1 answer
198 views

Is Disclosure to a Senior Government Official a "Public Disclosure" of an Invention in the US

Is a photograph showing a senior government official, for example, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, viewing a prototype considered evidence of "public disclosure to the government" which would ...
user3359's user avatar
  • 179
0 votes
2 answers
26 views

How to declare no patent ownership for software code?

I have a small piece of code I'd like to release to the public domain. I'm considering using a CC0 license, but it has that infamous patent clause that prevents people from freely reusing CC0 code. ...
Wood's user avatar
  • 101
0 votes
2 answers
261 views

Patent application is in the Public Domain

When there is a patent application submitted for an idea that has been around for years and is common knowledge what can you do?
Chip Albright's user avatar
0 votes
0 answers
31 views

Are US patents protected by copyright or can I reproduce them on my website? [duplicate]

Patents are a good source of accurate, or scientific information. They also have information about the inventor. Are the patents in the public domain? Can I reproduce them on my website?
Barry Roberts's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
126 views

PCT patents , is it Public Domain or up for grabs in my country?

If a PCT patent was filed in lets say "Ukraine" in 2004, but the owner let it never actually got it published as a patent in a national phase(in any country)legally may I file a similar patent in the ...
Johnny H.'s user avatar