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Wouldn't a database be prior art? If a general solution to an entire problem domain exists (in this case, databases solve the general problem of adding computer
by shawn-furyan 12y ago
Wouldn't a database be prior art? If a general solution to an entire problem domain exists (in this case, databases solve the general problem of adding computer representable data to a record) and predates a patented application of that general solution to a specific instance, then the general solution seems like a very good candidate for prior art. At least it seems to stand to reason that applying a general solution to a specific domain can't be considered novel. The novel solution is the general one, if it exists. Since the oldest databases have existed much longer than 20 years, it would be impossible for an active patent for a solution within this problem domain to not have prior art.
- josho 12y agoI like the way you think. The problem is that it is quite expensive to invalidate a patent. In fact anything to do with a patent is quite expensive, which is part of the problem itself. As to file a strong patent that can't easily be worked around costs a lot of money, so much money in fact that a lot of small companies don't bother. So, it's only bullies and large companies that have patents. While the guys focused on doing the real innovation often don't any.