Is the Diagonal star patent expired?

[Canuck]

John, the problem is still my poor comprehension of the language

Rolly, here's a slang translation...let me know if that sounds right

Italian Slang Dictionary
Jargon, lingo, colloquial expressions, regionalisms


saccente (un/una) n. a know-it-all, a smart-ass; (lit.): from the verb sapere, meaning "to know."

[Canuck]

Very interesting... but, since I am completely ignorant about the matter, I am asking: why use the patent?

I don't see any reason to patent a puzzle design, publishing it is sufficient   If anyone is bold enough to steal someone's design, certainly having a patent on it is not going to deter them   

[rolly_wood]

I don't see any reason to patent a puzzle design, publishing it is sufficient   If anyone is bold enough to steal someone's design, certainly having a patent on it is not going to deter them   

OK this is clear to me. thank you.

saccente, sapientone, sig. sa-tutto, sound right, but you are not like that, thats why I could not translate still I have not understood the matter of stars, diagonal or right-angle, and satellites but please do not explain me. Otherwise we further complicate the few things that I believe to have understood! 
Slang dictionary... hmmm I think I will need it! 
 
PS packet sent.

[Canuck]

PS packet sent.

You're one cool dude, Rolly!!!  Thanks

[MBD]

There are some neat puzzle box patents that can be viewed:
http://www.google.com/patents?id=riEcAAAAEBAJ&dq=puzzle+box&rview=1
http://www.google.com/patents?id=wzEpAAAAEBAJ&dq=puzzle+box&rview=1
My Favorite: http://www.google.com/patents?id=6ShbAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=puzzle+box+star&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=0_1#PPA1,M1
http://www.google.com/patents?q=puzzle+box+&btnG=Search+Patents

Search patents
http://www.google.com/patents?q=&btnG=Search+Patents

[Canuck]

Thanks Matt, that's exactly what I was looking for!

[rolly_wood]

Thanks Matt I did not know it!
 I used freepatentsonline.com but it needs to be registered.... and there is not everything you are looking for 

[MarkMc]

You can always search the US Patent and Trademark Office patents at http://patft.uspto.gov/.

You'll need a TIFF viewer add-on for your browser to look at the old patents, they post a link under the box on the left.

Stewart reflected on patents and their (non)value in the Puzzle Craft books. He mentioned that 3M refused to sue another manufacturer over infringing on his Hexsticks design.  The court costs were not worth it.