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Posts: 840 | Thanked: 823 times | Joined on Nov 2009
#1095
Originally Posted by specc View Post
Not correct. What you are talking about is an idea. You cannot get a patent on an idea. You can only get a patent on a explicitly described and working device or invention that use your idea (or anyones idea for that matter). Someone else can get a patent for another device as long as none of the claims are violated.

Besides, you are as per definition, not violating any patents whatsoever unless the patent owner can prove that you have made economical profit based on violating some claim(s) in his invention. Then the owner of the patent is entitled to some compensation.

Patents and copyrights are two very different beasts. Confusing those two makes great headlines in the tech news, but nothing more than that.
He is describing Electrostatic spray painting which was patented by Harold Ransburg in the 40's. I think you are right about it being safe to use legally though.