Re: It's all context

[John Hasler]

andy writes:
> Wouldn't it be 

> a) cheaper
> b) more in the spirit of free software
> c) more likely to succeed

> just to register any code that you consider might constitute a patent
> with a public notary, so that at a later date it can be used as evidence
> that any patent which someone later claims on that idea is invalid? (I.e.
> because there is already 'prior art' embodying the idea).

That won´t accomplish anything.  Prior art must be _published_.  It must be
published where an ordinary practitioner of the art is likely to see it.
More importantly, it should be published where a patent examiner is likely
to see it.  The best way to do that is to file a provisional patent ($100)
and allow it to lapse.
-- 
John Hasler 
john@dhh.gt.org
Dancing Horse Hill
Elmwood, WI USA