On Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:37:07 +0000 (UTC),
(Larry W) wrote:

Something to keep in mind when discussing ideas that do not conflict with
the Gass patents: It has been common for some years now for the Patent
Office to approve patents no matter how ridiculously obvious, over reaching,
plainly derivative, etc. If someone comes up with a different idea, even
if it DOES conflict with one of Gass's patents, the patent office is likely
to approve it anyway. I suppose if that happens Gass and the newcomer can
duke it out in court. As usual, the lawyers will win, though in this case,
Gass, the lawyer, would also be one of the litigants. It would be worth
seeing for that aspect alone IMHO!

That's all true, but the fact remains that the patent is assumed to be valid.
Your job, should you accept, is to prove otherwise. It's a bet-your-company
proposition and won't be easy for the challenger. The crap with the Ryobi
suit should tell you something.