Red Hat could use our help finding prior art in connection with the patent infringement litigation brought by IP Innovation, LLC, a subsidiary of Acacia against Red Hat and Novell. It's supposed to go to trial in 2010, last I looked, in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Where else? Here's where you go, the Peer-to-Patent site, to provide whatever you know or can find for them. Of course, you can comment here also, but do make sure to place all helpful information on the Peer-to-Patent site also. We last updated the news on this case back in October, when we provided you the complete docket as of that date, including the complaint and other documents filed in the case, and you'll find some comments with prior art on the article we did when the lawsuit was announced in 2007. Now, there is a need to go deeper. Let's break it down in more detail, to maximize usefulness.
The patent is for "user interface with multiple workspaces for sharing display system objects", for those of you who can safely read patents. If you'd like to help, here's what's needed: - Knowledgeable persons - especially people involved in the invention or in others cited in the patent
- Patents and Published Patent Applications Filed in the U.S. Prior to March 25, 1986
- Information that this Process was Public Knowledge or Publicy used Prior to March 25, 1986 - "Such prior art may include processes embodying the invention that were in the public domain or publicly used by the patent holder, an inventor, or any third party prior to March 25, 1986."
- Products On Sale, Offered for Sale or Publicly Used Prior to March 25, 1986 - "Such prior art may include products embodying the invention that were sold, offered for sale, or publicly used by the patent holder, an inventor, or any third party prior to March 25, 1986."
- Publications Published Prior to March 25, 1986 - "Publications can include any form of printed or electronic publication that discusses one or more elements of the claim of the patent."
The last category is the one where I think you'll be most helpful, because it might include your PhD thesis, for example, or a FOSS application the US Patent Office never heard of. Note prior comments before you submit any information, to avoid duplication. It would be nice to get the tail pinned on this donkey once and for all.
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