I’m on Spring Break right now, and between some house chores, some outlining for class, and an upcoming trip to see family in Arizona, I’m also reading a copy of Ronald D. Slusky’s Invention Analysis and Claiming: A Patent Lawyer’s Guide that I “borrowed” from the office. I’m reading it despite the fact Mr. Slusky did not offer me a free trip to his seminar (yes, I actually asked).

His basic question is, “What is the invention?”

This question is highly appropriate for, well, most inventors. But coders don’t often walk around thinking of themselves as “inventors.” I think this reality is a part of the misunderstanding between the world of software and the world of patents. The patent regime is set up to help inventors, not just coders. Oh sure, everyone has a loose sense of what the word “inventor” is, but it hasn’t really been fleshed out how a coder is–or isn’t–an inventor.

So, as I’m reading through the book, if I find any flashes of genius, I’ll let you know!