[ Response | Lazer Tactical Action Game Message Board ]
Posted by TagFerret
on October 28, 2009, 2:54 pm, in reply to "Re: A not so merry Christmas IMHO"
It's not a matter of IF, just a matter of WHEN. Even if the patents were to be rejected entirely, or if STM and Hasbro decided to abandon them, they still become published with all the details of the equipment and protocols -- the WOW patent is an example of such a situation. This is because once produced or described in a patent application, the information becomes part of the "established art" to which future inventors must refer when they seek patents on their own developments.
There are three patent applications associated with LTTO, namely (1) the LTTO device / apparatus / hardware end of the system, (2) the LTTO method / software / protocol end of the system, and (3) the extensions to these which cover Configure-8 and LTX.
The first of these has just been examined and granted so will be published as soon as the Patent Office receives and processes the final filing fees. Since those fees should already have been paid, that patent should publish literally in the next couple of weeks.
The second should now be in examination since it was separated from the first application at the request of the patent examiner. That fact should give it equal examination priority with the first application. It is probably in examination right now and the examiner simply hasn't yet communicated his questions or opposition to us through the attorneys yet (or, the attorneys may not have yet forwarded the questions/oppositions to us yet since Hasbro Legal is also in this loop). This is the one with the really juicy details since it covers all of the communications signatures and protocols. With the information that will be published in this patent, anyone with the needed technical skills will be able to create a hosting station.
The third "CIP" application should also have a high examination priority since it is "piggy-backed" onto the first and second applications. This one would cover the communications details between the LTX and its accessories. Interesting information I suppose, but not really what everyone needs because it cannot be used to create a universal hosting station at this point (though it could be used to create an LTX-only hosting station that sets up and debriefs games via the accessory rail).
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