concept for software

matthew...

please note that to email me directly you must alter the posted email address.  this is to avoid spam

Isaac

You have a description and an implementation, so almost certainly
you have enough concrete detail to apply for a patent.  The
question is whether your invention is novel and non obvious.

Many software inventions are described in patents via flow charts
and written explanations detailing the functionality.  If
someone can use that description to write code implementing your
invention, then the detail is sufficient.

puuukeey

that is such good news you've made me want to lock the doors and do nude cartwheels.

I'm fairly certain its non obvious.  its not like "improved menu bar" its more like  "heres a description of an entirely new concept in computing."

I LOVE YOU!!!!!

JimIvey

Just to second Mr. Clark's answer:  what you describe is the type of thing that can be patented.  If your description is clear enough that an ordinary programmer can make and use the thing described in your claims (your invention) and your description includes your preferred implementation, that's enough.  It all comes down to novelty and non-obviousness (well, and putting it all together properly which is up to you and any practitioner you might have help you).

Now, I want to lock my doors, too, but for a different reason.  ;-)

Regards.

puuukeey

now I've read people get angry about me patenting software.  should I be wary about who I'm hurting or screw them?  or if its novel enough (which it is) it wont hurt anyone?

JimIvey

Well, one thing I've learned over the years is that just about everything you do will really annoy someone somewhere.  If you don't want to annoy anyone, don't do anything.  Wait, that will annoy someone too.

Sorry, you can't win.

There's nothing wrong with patenting software.  You can always get a patent and then choose not to enforce it.  However, we've all seen that's not enough to appease the EFF, Greg Aharonian, and the whole anti-software-patent crowd.

If you're curious about the political ramifications, visit web sites of the EFF, Greg Aharonian, etc. (just Google or Yahoo! those people/organizations and/or "software patents").  

But, when you're done there, talk to someone who actually knows something about patents.  Make sure the people you ask (in this phase II) know something about patent law and have actually read a patent, including the claims.  It will be an interesting contrast to those perspectives you might have seen in phase I above.

This is a good place to find people who actually know something about patents.  You can ask your "They say ... , is that true?" questions here.

Lastly, and this is kind of important, the question as to whether software patents should exist and the question as to whether a particular business venture should have patents on their software are entirely different questions.  Don't confuse the two.

Regards.