Monday, July 14, 2008

Another silly patent

US Patent 6,513,042 Internet test-making method What is claimed is: 1. A method of making a test and posting the test on-line for potential test-takers, said method comprising the steps of: providing a host system and a plurality of remote terminals operatively coupled to the Internet; inputting questions at one of the remote terminals; compiling the questions at the host system to make a compiled test; posting the test on-line for potential test-takers; wherein a test-taker is required to pay to take the compiled test; and wherein the test-maker and the proprietor of the host system share the revenues generated by the test-taker taking the test. Granted, this is another arrogant business method, but required? Their patent writer (or drafter, or a paralegal) should have maintained the claiming style and written: wherein a presenting a test taker with... to take the test - the phrase fits the technical description and an example therefrom. It should say, albeit in legalese doublespeak, but as a stronger claim wherein a presenting a test taker with ...for participating in the test... and share - hasn't it been discussed by hundreds of patent examiners as ambiguous? Because share in method claims is better represented by dividing that's all. It's very simple.