European/English patent law is different from US patent law, which has some very odd ideas.

The granting of "letters patent" was instituted by an English king in the 17th Century, to free up the situation where cherished and secret methods and craft skills died with the men who created them. The patent provides protection in law * for a specific number of years, provided certain key things are true.

1.) The idea must be orginal
2.) It must be non-obvious or obvious to oneskilled in the craft.

IT MUST NOT HAVE BEEN "PUBLISHED" IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM.

Published: Made public/available in the market.

GETTING a patent costs money. Someone has to write the application in the right style and with the right CLAIMS.

PROTECTING a patent also costs money, and this is where the system breaks down. A patent is really only as good as your ability to pay for it.

Look at some real patents
here
www.doramusic.com and read some of A.D Blumleins key electronic patents.

Steve