For questions about the public domain, as it relates to patents. After a patent expires due to lifetime limit or lack of payment of maintenance fees, it enters the public domain.
Questions tagged [public-domain]
16 questions
3
votes
4 answers
How to release an existing patent into the public domain?
Suppose I own a patent that has not expired. How do I legally and reliably transfer it to the public domain?
Alex Williams
- 33
- 3
2
votes
4 answers
Do patentless idea implementations published on a web site enter the public domain?
If someone publishes build instructions for an idea on their web site, and never pursues patent protection, does that idea and its implementation:
Enter the public domain?
If so, when?
If not, why?
Thanks.
JSH
- 429
- 2
- 10
1
vote
2 answers
Availibility to the public domain
From my limited understanding of the patent system, if I were to invent something but I didn't file for a patent, then someone else could still patent my idea. If I want to keep my invention open, is there a way to release it straight into the…
cspirou
- 111
- 3
0
votes
2 answers
Patent application is in the Public Domain
When there is a patent application submitted for an idea that has been around for years and is common knowledge what can you do?
Chip Albright
- 1
- 1
0
votes
2 answers
How to declare no patent ownership for software code?
I have a small piece of code I'd like to release to the public domain. I'm considering using a CC0 license, but it has that infamous patent clause that prevents people from freely reusing CC0 code. Can I simply append a declaration of no patent…
Wood
- 101
- 1
0
votes
0 answers
Are US patents protected by copyright or can I reproduce them on my website?
Patents are a good source of accurate, or scientific information. They also have information about the inventor. Are the patents in the public domain? Can I reproduce them on my website?
Barry Roberts
- 1
- 1