Replies to post #11199 on SunWorks Inc (SUNWQ)

[Tommy John Surgery]

I agree about the cell and as far as my research into a patent extends I have found the patent itself has little actual value, but it's what the patent protects which is where the value is actualized. I hope to see cell news soon, but would prefer to have our ducks in a row before getting our feet wet.

[Nome44]

I think the patent comes into play here for one reason and one reason only. Panasonic.

[markp1950]

I am not up on patent law but I think that don't matter too much - the application is in and as long as its eventually granted then it applies from that earlier date of publication.

As long as the patent application is in you have some real proof that it is your idea. And if they steal you idea, and invest their money in using it, all that money could be lost.

http://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-patents-2012-11
"We have essentially no patents in SpaceX. Our primary long-term competition is in China," said Musk in the interview. "If we published patents, it would be farcical, because the Chinese would just use them as a recipe book."

There are plenty of big holes in patent law — especially international patent law. And in some cases, they're totally bypassed anyway.

Thus, Musk's only option is to go with the trade secret route. That should end up working for a company like SpaceX, but as patent fights ramp up, something has to be done.

Trade secret
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_secret