"Of course in the German patent business as well as in the European patent business "Prior Art" (German: Stand der Technik) is a very big issue. One of the main tasks of an examiner there is to search for prior art. I he/she is successful in finding something similar or close to the pending patent then you won't get a protective right -by no means."

Jerry,

If what they find is not patented then why wouldn't you get a protective right. It is a first to patent system, yes?

I think it is much different than the U.S. system were all and any prior art is an impediment.