SOFTWARE PATENTING PRAGMATICS

***** BIG PROBLEM ***** U.S. PATENT OFFICE'S EXAMINER SHORTAGE HURTING SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS BADLY !!

You've got what you believe is a truly uniuque software invention. You're not part of a enterprise that has already filed hundreds of Patent Applications. You've engaged an attorney that specializes in Intellectual Properties after talking to their former clients. You've performed preliminary patent research. You believe your invention is patentable and are ready to proceed. What lie's ahead?

That's where I was in June, 2002. What I'll detail is my experiences with this task - so you can have realistic expectations of what you'll encounter. I won't give legal advice. That's up to your attorney.

As you read these pages, questions may arise in your mind. In the spirit of making these pages useful, I encourage you to use the Software Patenting Q & A Forum to raise those questions and receive thet best answer I can get for you. (I am NOT an attorney trolling for clients!)

First, what are the steps in the Patenting process?