Re: The Basic Question: Why??

The bill makes more sense if you view it as a limitation of "submarine" patents rather than an extension. Timing the term from filing should encourage patent applicants to respond promptly to examiners rather than intentionally draw out the pre-issuance process. Many patent owners will receive more than a 17 year term from issuance, and owners could obtain damages for the pre-issuance period from persons who have actual knowledge of the application (i.e., potential licensees who decide instead to infringe, or persons who review the published application). So, it seems a balanced approach.

Seth Greenstein
<sethg[_at_]access.digex.net> Received on Tue Mar 08 1994 - 15:33:32 GMT