Chip Firm Hit By 45-Year-Old Patent

JPMH writes "The Register is reporting that a Taiwanese chip foundry is being sued over two chemistry patents, one over 45 years old. The patents at issue were filed in 1957 and 1964, but are still in force because they were not granted until 1987 and 1992 respectively. The first patent, 4,702,808, details an apparatus and method for initiating chemical reactions by focusing "radiant energy, such as a laser" onto streams of particles. The second patent, 5,131,941 also details an apparatus and method for initiating chemical reactions, but this time radiation is used to provide the energy kick needed to get the compounds to interact."

Comments

Re:deploy patents!

[Dolphinzilla]

You are partially correct the laser was "officially" invented in 1958 - however the maser was invented in 1953 (microwaves instead of visible light) The laser was at the time a predictable outgrowth - and was theorized to be possible. The patent in question mentions radiation in general, as well as lasers radiation. So while it seems amazing that somone could have that much foresight, its not improbable.

Re:With a Friggin Deathgrip on Government

[FFFish]

Ever notice that most of those people who are in power are ex-lawyers?

Ever notice that contract language has grown increasingly more complicated over the years, as a means of ensuring lawyer income?

Ever notice the increase in responsibility-declaiming lawsuits over the years, as lawyers take any bullshit to court as a means of ensuring their income?

Ever notice that judges are allowing more and more of these cases, as a means to ensure their continued employment?

It's the slow death of a society, crushed by the weight of a useless population of lawyers who can only feed off the harm they cause to others.

We want to save ourselves, we gotta fire up those frickin laser beams already. Time for some BBQ!