[OT] Microsoft filled patent applications for scoped and immutable types

[Walter Bright via Digitalmars-d]

On 8/27/2014 8:25 PM, jollie wrote:
> Walter Bright <newshound2 at digitalmars.com> Wrote in message:
>> On 8/27/2014 12:50 PM, Idan Arye wrote:
>>> Aren't these the patent numbers?
>>
>> Nope. Too many digits. Tried them, the form rejected them.
>>
>
> Spoke too soon. A patent number has not been issued as far as I
>   can tell.
> This is listed in the application database. From the USPTO FAQ:
>
> Does your database include data on pending patent applications?
>
> The database only includes data on Published Applications in
>   accordance with
> the 18 month pre-grant publication rules. Pending patent
>   applications where the
> applicant has elected to not publish prior to grant remain
>   confidential.

Yeah, and the form rejects all attempts to disclose prior art without a patent 
number.

Reminds me of obamacare.gov :-)