"Centurycom is 100% right. They only look for "Prior Art" that has been patented. "

Can you please give me a proof for your above statement?

I'll give you a link which shows you the exact opposite

http://bundesrecht.juris.de/patg/__3...

The first paragraph in English means:

(1) An invention is counted to be new if it is not prior art. Prior art comprises all knowledge, which before the filling date was open to the public in written form or orally, by use or by other manner.

Any German examiner does not only look into patent databases for research but also in magazine or other public sources.

Jerry