[Linux-aus] Re: Hooks to the AU patent process

[pia at linux.org.au]

Arjen Lentz writes:
> But we can still use all this, if we inventorise and categorise all
> relevant applications. This makes things much more transparent and
> visible for media and politicians. We can point out specific problems
> using real examples. That's always better than generics.
> Basically, I am suggesting, and I think this jives with what Pia was
> aiming for, that we vigorously expose it all. Starting NOW. It is in
> fact a pity we didn't start it before.... 
> 
> Also, we have "friends" at IP Australia. Developers from there have been
> at the Linux confs in the past. We may be able to get some assistance in
> making sense of all this.

Arjen, this is AWESOME! Thankyou! Let's get onto this. Can anyone see ways 
to automate this? Help from our "friends" would be useful in understanding 
the process, but we need to make sure this process is _totally_ kosher, so 
that when we come out with data, it isn't dubious. 

To be honest, if we can't automate it, worst case scenario is a rotating 
team of people watching the new patents and posting them to linux-aus (or 
another list), or even better, to a website (with reminders to linux-aus or 
other) so that people can check them when they can. I guess that have a few 
teams from different areas would be useful, that way we can bounce different 
patents to relevant people who may be able to give prior art off the top of 
their heads. I'm certainly willing to coordinate setting this up, as I think 
it is a very succinct and quantifiable way to get our point across, while 
protecting ourselves at the same time :) I'm going to try put some more 
specific ideas together tonight and post them. 

We may also be able to ask for anyone being pressured to submit patents to 
let us know (anonymously of course). 

Pia Smith
President of Linux Australia
http://www.linux.org.au