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Short Guide to Patent Protection and Patentability

What can be protected?

Determining what qualifies as a patentable invention is a highly difficult and complicated task. Patent laws state that "Anything under the sun that was invented by man qualifies as patentable". Simple enough, but if you notice, there are hundreds of pages full of exceptions and details on the idea of patentability following this phrase. Scores of appeals and patent court cases have arisen due to questions regarding patentability because it still hasn't, and probably never will be entirely pinned down.

So, defining what is patentable is not as clear cut as black and white. Inventions can encompass a wide variety of areas, even living subject matter so long as the subject matter is the result of human intervention. An example of a patentable living organism is a microorganism or a plant which is produced or altered through genetic engineering. The key is that the living matter must be a product of "human ingenuity" and not merely a naturally occurring object, such as a shrimp with its digestive tract removed. The living matter must be altered to yield unique properties for it to be patentable.

However, the alteration can even be the mere fact that the living matter is simply isolated or purified. For example, unaltered pieces of DNA may be patentable provided they have been sequenced. The PTO has decided that the act of isolating and sequencing a strand of DNA is the result of human intervention. Currently, there is huge debate surrounding the patenting of biotechnology related "inventions" like DNA. Is a piece of DNA really an invention at all? Or what about a microorganism that happens to degrade oil? Is that an invention? Should it be?

As you are probably starting to see, the patent office has its work cut out for them as many of these questions are not black and white.

About the Author

Copyright © 2005 Lisa Parmley - Registered Patent Agent
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Here are a few Black Patent High listings you might enjoy:

In 2009, gladiator shoes in general took quite a place in the forefront of the fashion world. Many women are searching for knee high gladiator styles to fill their fashion needs.

Well, knee high gladiator sandals are back again in 2010, with a couple of new styles for women.

Here is a list of a few of the different gladiator "boots" available this year:

Joie Warwick - The knee-high gladiator sandal is a gorgeous and bold thong style sandal for women. It features a leather upper with thick straps that wrap all the way up the leg - to the knee, that is. It has adjustable straps starting at the ankle area and moving all the way up for a perfect custom fit. This particular shoe stands out to me as being one of the most classic designs in Roman Gladiator Sandals this year.

Type Z Noteworthy - Here is a returning style from last year, with a design that is similar to (but not exactly like) the Joie Warwick. There are a total of six straps around the foot and up the leg, all of them adjustable for a great fit. It also has two vertical straps (front and back) - a great bold look, most available in black.

Ed Hardy Patent Maximus - This sandal/boot is a bit difficult to describe in words - especially due to the fact that each different color bears its own bold and colorful designs. These boots have a 10 inch shaft, so they do not reach quite up to the knee for most women. They can be found in Black, White, Fuschia and Army Green.

Surprisingly I have not been able to find many more styles of knee high gladiator sandals for women. The versions listed above however are gorgeous, and hopefully more designs will be released in the weeks or months to come.

© Tonya Brisnehan

Tonya researches various "corners" of women's fashion, and is a writer online. Find the top styles of women's knee high gladiator sandals - great selection and prices! Knee High Gladiator Sandals - Information and Shopping Resources on Squidoo.

Below are a few more great Black Patent High deals on Amazon:

Sky-high heels add a foot to woman's height
The heels created by Romania's Mihai Albu are at least twice as high as the ones international designers have been flirting with for several years. His latest creation, the 12.2-inch heel sandal, blends high-tech architecture with design.