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Solution Title: Open Source Software as Prior Art Initiative

Category: Patent Quality Initiative

Contributor: OSDL

Abstract: The Open Source as Prior Art Initiative involves improving accessibility by patent examiners and others to electronically published source code and its related documentation as a source of prior art.

This initiative involves work and development in several different areas, including the following:

* Establishing electronic publication practices that any software author can use to ensure their source code can be used as prior art.
* Creating search mechanisms and interfaces that allow patent examiners and others to more easily locate relevant electronically published source code and its related documentation.
* Developing a "taxonomy" or "tagging" system that can be used by software developers, patent examiners and others to describe and help locate relevant source code and documentation.

For additional information, visit the OSAPA website and register on the Priorart-discuss list.

Notes:

Open Source as Prior Art Initiative

USPTO Press Release, 1/10/2006

Groklaw Article, 1/10/2006

OSDL Press Release, 1/9/2006

Priorart-discuss Info Page