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Full article in English with the video embedded and where they say they have supposedly patented it even though it's a branded snorkeling mask from Decathlon: h
by caiobegotti 7y ago
Full article in English with the video embedded and where they say they have supposedly patented it even though it's a branded snorkeling mask from Decathlon: https://www.isinnova.it/easy-covid19-eng/ https://www.isinnova.it/easy-covid19-eng/
- kbaker 7y agoTrue but the patent is in good faith: > We clarify that the patent will remain free to use, because it is in our intention that all hospitals in need could use it if necessary. > We clarify that our initiative is totally non-profit, we will not obtain any royalties on the idea of the link, nor on the sales of Decathlon masks.
- phyzome 7y agoThey can't just say "hey, we're publishing this, and this is now prior art" so no one can patent it in the future? (Is this a difference between the US and EU patent systems?)
- GloriousKoji 7y agoNot anymore. US used to be first to invent but switched to first to file a some years ago.
- tzs 7y agoThat doesn’t make a difference in this case. It just affects which filer gets priority if more than one party files claiming the same invention. The winning filer’s claim still has to meet the other requirements for a patent, including novelty and non-obviuousness.
- wmd_ 7y ago"We're publishing this and now it is prior art" is more costly to defend in the US courts compared to having a patent.
- celticninja 7y agothey have patented the valve that attaches the mask to the oxygen supply. this prevents someone else patenting it. you still need to buy the masks but these will already be in stock at decathlon stores.
- cma 7y agoPublishing already prevents that in most areas, but I guess that could lessen the chance you would have to challenge it.