Friday, October 19, 2007

Copy-Cats


I pioneered battery-less LED torches/flashlights with published designs in Everyday Practical Electronics (EPE) magazine in October 2000 and March 2003. A friend in India wrote to me today: “I think somebody has taken a PATENT on your Handheld LED Torch.” Well I think so, too, having just looked over the details. The EPE articles contain every major feature described in U.S. Patent 7 019 492 -- with the exception of an external adapter. Strictly speaking, therefore, this is a non-patent. It is already copyrighted. OBSERVATION: While I’m really happy to see people “run with” my design ideas, when it happens like this, it gets me cooking! The photo shows the 2003 prototype's PCB.