Indeed it is (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sec...). I'm not aware of them ever attempting to enforce it though. There are plenty of examples of companies which hold patents that they've never enforced (IBM comes to mind).
Agreed, yet it is so random and hard to predict who will attempt to enforce patents and which patents are actually valid that it is basically unfair to small companies who seek to compete and innovate.
I point it out because it is useful to always be mindful of their absurdity.
Comments
Indeed it is (http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sec...). I'm not aware of them ever attempting to enforce it though. There are plenty of examples of companies which hold patents that they've never enforced (IBM comes to mind).
Agreed, yet it is so random and hard to predict who will attempt to enforce patents and which patents are actually valid that it is basically unfair to small companies who seek to compete and innovate.
I point it out because it is useful to always be mindful of their absurdity.