wrote in message
ups.com...
Note that the United States is unusual in allowing a one-year grace
period to file a patent application after public disclosure or sale of
the invention. In most countries once the invention is publicly
disclosed or sold, it is too late to successfully apply for a patent.

Rich


Same here in Australia, but if you commercialise, and someone else starts making your
product before you file, you can't enforce a patent against them.

Some sort of grace period. Never have liked the idea, but I suppose it covers you if
you talk to a few people before recognising the need to patent if desired.