@teamonkey: if so, ok. I was also forgetting something I had studied (being Italian): in Italy patents aren't awarded after an examination, they basically just

@teamonkey: if so, ok. I was also forgetting something I had studied (being Italian): in Italy patents aren't awarded after an examination, they basically just certify the date of your claims. The whole examination and discussion of the patent are left to a trial, if there is ever one regarding it. I guess that' what the OP meant by "informal" patent.