In theory yes, but it's less effective than filing a patent app, letting it publish, and then abandoning. Patent examiners tend to spend more time searching pa

In theory yes, but it's less effective than filing a patent app, letting it publish, and then abandoning. Patent examiners tend to spend more time searching patent prior art because the prior art disclosures tend to be kitchen-sink exercises that make it easier to hit all elements of a claim relative to more targeted technical publications.