Many silicon valley and tech start-ups in general do not use patents. If other companies would have difficulty replicating the technology, than patents wouldn't be quite as valuable. Silevo has at least 63 patents.
here's a summary of the last several posts regarding the patent as i understand it. someone correct me if im wrong on any point, this is not my domain and I'm thinking out loud here:
international patent is a process where the patent office searches for other similar technology to figure out if solar 3D's technology is indeed novel in some way.
it is also an opportunity for others to argue that the tech is not novel in some way (competitors).
It allows for simultaneous patent submissions in many participating countries (I'm assuming all of the western countries are included), if the patent is approved.
it fast tracks these patent application submissions, IF it is approved.
It buys them some time before submitting these applications to individual countries. if they have to appeal or argue their case, then this allows them the proper time to do so. They could then gain approval based on new information they present, or new arguments.
Solar 3D has already filed AT LEAST 2 patent applications (separate of the international patent) with China and the U.S, but we don't know the results or status of these yet?
there have been several indications that the initial patent they submitted have some arguments against its novelty, at least in some aspects (so maybe not the entire design of the cell but one detailed component of the cell).
They filed several patents on different aspects of the cell (I believe bucky stated this earlier), some will/may be approved while others will/may not be approved? IDK about this part but it seems logical. maybe the entire cell as a whole is patent-able, or maybe specific components? or both.
With all this confusion how did Einstein have time to work out relativity whilst working at a patent office
