!041994 Interesting patent ancedotes Here are some short, interesting news items about patenting activities. No meaning attached to the collection, just things that caught my eye. PBS Television program last nite Thomas Edison, one of the largest recipients of patents and father of the electric power industry, used and sold oral cocaine. Electronic Business Buyer, April 1994, pg. 38 At a minimum, Intel and Advanced Micro Devices have spent over $200 million on their patent and copyright infringement disputes since 1987, with the bills continuing to rise, while the companies probably ending up with less rewards. Of course, a lot of Silicon Valley patent lawyers must be quite happy, probably more so than Intel and AMD shareholders. US News & World Report, Mar 22 1993, pg 48-50 About 6000 US inventions, some dating from the 1940's, remain under secrecy orders that deny them patents and forbid inventors even to publish or discuss their work. TIME, Feb 22 1993, pg 60-61 The CIA would plant undercover agents in overseas firms to find out if those businesses are violating U.S. patents. Science and Public Policy, April 1991, pg 83-92 Over 90% of the patents awarded each year in Canada are given to foreign, mainly American, residents. TIME, June 10 1991, pg 44-46 US companies filed more than 5700 intellectual property lawsuits in 1990, while filing 3800 in 1980. Business Week, May 22 1989, pg 78-79,82,86,88-89 In 1988, some 6059 intellectual property lawsuits were filed in the US. Congressional Record, June 25 1987, E2595 During the next five years, 21 patents for pesticides widely used by American farmers will expire. These pesticides constitute 45% of all chemicals used by farmers today. ========== Greg Aharonian Internet Patent News Service