Did you know there is a patent on weathering ?!

[Anonymous]

You can read more on it here.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5075137.WKU.&OS=PN/5075137&RS=PN/5075137

From what I can tell this patent is pretty generic and a lot of modellers do the same, thus violating the patent [:0]

[Anonymous]

It does appear that in 1989, Leonard Kuras invented the air-drying of paint on models.

Wayne

[DSchmitt]

Its the patent for RUSTALL[8D]

http://www.rustall.com/

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DSchmitt

Its the patent for RUSTALL[8D]

http://www.rustall.com/

Yep

[AggroJones]

[:0]

[jwr_1986]

I was really worried. i thought you were going to say Mike Wolf held the patent. The good news is that it will become public domain in 2011 so it won't be long and we can weather our models again.

Jesse

[ericboone]

I am surprised but not suprised that this was even allowed to be patented. The USPTO will patent almost anything. The real challenge is will the patent stand up in court. This one would be so easy to debunk. The necessary prior art is readily available in almost any modeler magazine. If this person attempted to sue me for weathering, I feel so confident the patent is garbage, I would simply show up in court with a few magazines that are older than the patent filing date. Case over. Slam dunk.

[JohnT14808]

Just for the sake of discussion, would this patent cover weathering when the modeler uses the powdered "weathering" agents, then applies some type of adhesive agent NOT described in the patent? It appears to me that this patent covers "painting" the rusting agent onto a model and allowing it to dry. Since the powders are not paint, but a solid agent, any weathering performed with the powders would be permitted under this patent!!

[dano99a]

gee I don't follow any of those steps maybe I should see if the USPD will grant me a patent (wouldn't be suprised if they did) for the way I weather model locomotives. The sad part about this is that it takes YEARS and I mean YEARS to get a patent approved. Yet it still amazes me as to what and who get the patents.

Example: there is a guy/company that says they own the patent to "e-commerce" and that they are one by one going after company by comapny to reap the benfits of posesing such an insane pantent. This is right up there with the guy over in great britain who says he holds the patent to HTML and we should all pay royalties to him for using it on our web sites. (needless to say this one got pulled)

Needless to say the US patent dept. are a bunch of idiots.

[IRONROOSTER]

If I understand this patent correctly you:
1. spray rust colored paint on your model.
2. let it dry.
3. spray on diluted black paint.
4. let it dry,
5. spray on diluted white glue.

And somehow this was a new invention in 1989? Seems a little flakey to me.

Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

Real railroads have been weathering for as long as they've existed. Are they in violation of a patent on weathering? How many original steam locomotives look just as clean as when they were new?

[tatans]

You cannot hold a patent on a method, you can only patent a product.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

You cannot hold a patent on a method, you can only patent a product.

If by "method," you mean "process" then yes, you can patent it.

"A utility patent may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, compositions of matter, or any new useful improvement thereof." US Patent and Trademark Office

Wayne

[Anonymous]

Well I hold the Patent for weathering models by burying them in your backyard for 3 months, then going and digging them up. If any of you want to use my method, it will cost you $15.00 for a license to do so.[:D][:D][:D][:D] and remember, the model weathering spy satellite is watching.[;)][;)]

[tatans]

Muddy creek: I just "invented " a new process to wave my arm about in concentric variations standing on a pickle, somehow, I think I may have problems getting a patent, now if I invented a machine that assists me to wave my arm about, I may get a patent. I think the query is the materials used in weathering are problem?? this is a tough question. If the patent office feels they can issue a patent on "something" then I guess they can.

[AggroJones]

Is this really going to stop any of us weathering dudes? This patent may as well not even exist.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

Muddy creek: I just "invented " a new process to wave my arm about in concentric variations standing on a pickle, somehow, I think I may have problems getting a patent, now if I invented a machine that assists me to wave my arm about, I may get a patent. I think the query is the materials used in weathering are problem?? this is a tough question. If the patent office feels they can issue a patent on "something" then I guess they can.

I think the common misconception is that there has to be a machine or device involved in a patent. Consider: Over 100 patents on human genes are held by Human Genome Sciences of Rockville, MD and over 7,000 more are pending.

Your process of arm waving while standing on a pickle may not be improbable. I'd consult a patent atttorney first, though Human Genome Sciences may already own the patent to the gene that causes this behavior.

Wayne

[dinwitty]

I think it was funny when a judge ruled MS couldnt patent/copyright the name "Windows" as its a common name.

There may be a distinct process to make "Rustall" any one else doing the same would be copying the Rustall product process. Do it any other way is OK.

Of couse Pepsi is different from Coke. OK?