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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I have registered with the Peer-To-Patent site:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><a href="http://www.peertopatent.org/">http://www.peertopatent.org/</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>This process was very simple, and will now allow me to comment on the
patent applications that are posted to the site for review. I took a quick look
trough the current list of patents under review and didn’t see anything decidedly
geospatial. There were, however, three (3) or four (4) database related
patents.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I think this new program really presents a fabulous opportunity for
open source advocates to make a difference in the out-of-control patent
process. It gives us a chance to put our time and effort where our mouth is. I can’t
think of a better organization than OSGeo to champion this cause in the
geospatial arena. I’m putting myself up as a point man on this issue. I’ll
make an effort to review the patent applications on the Peer-To-Patent site on
a regular basis, and report on any patent applications that touch on the
geospatial realm.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I must admit that I’m probably not the most technically qualified
person for this job, as others have a lot more programming experience than me.
I’m a closet programmer, and not what I would call a “mainstream”
or typical GIS user either. I’d really appreciate help with this effort.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>If this list will be disturbed by my reports on patent applications
perhaps a separate mailing list would be appropriate.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Landon (A.K.A. – The Sunburned Surveyor)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Arial Narrow"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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