On Mon, 2 Sep 2002, Nomen Nescio wrote:
It looks like Camenisch & Lysyanskaya are patenting their credential system. This is from the online patent applications database:
Does anyone know how to contact the PTO regarding proposed patents, perhaps to point out prior art?
It's best not to contact the PTO or the patent holder with prior art. Gregory Aharonian has written some interesting material on this in his Patent News newsletter. If you contact the patent holder or the PTO with the prior art, it will likely be listed in the patent, or future patents if the application has already been granted. In the case of an existing patents, presenting prior art to the PTO can result it the prior art being given a "previously reviewed" status. Prior art with a "previously reviewed" status, or prior art listed on the patent are both much less effective in a defense case against an infringement claim. Therefor alerting the patent holder or the PTO to prior art would actually make the patent stronger and less likely to be invalidated. Basically, the patent system is so corrupt, the best thing to do is to avoid participating it in. Just like the US democratic system. - VAB