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14 September 2001

Friends of the Court—the Supreme Court

The Society for Amateur Scientists has joined as one of two signatories on an Amicus Curiae brief (No. 00-1543) which was filed on August 30 with the Supreme Court of the United States. The brief was drafted by Steven L. Winter of the Brooklyn Law School and singed by the non-profit Intellectual Property Creators (IPC) as well as by our Society. The brief challenges an interpretation of patent law issued by a Federal Circuit court which, in our opinion eviscerates more than the 150 year "doctrine of equivalents." The interpretation makes it very difficult for the individual to protect a patent against the introduction of similar inventions introduced into the market place. My personal view is that the Circuit Court’s decision will stifle innovation and make it harder for citizen scientists to profit from their labors.

You can read more about the brief at the Intellectual Property Creators [http://www.ipcreators.org] web site. We have started a discussion about the document on the Forum. Feel free to comment on the brief, and on whether or not you think it is appropriate for SAS to sign such a document.

Shawn Carlson