The word " PUBLISH " often brings fear into the hearts of patent attorneys , and rightfully so.

Patents are a prerequisite to protecting some of the most valuable aspect of that intellectual capital

and are thus a key to competitive survival.

Ill - considered and untimely publications can be patent poison.Yet , like any poison , publication

can be used as a weapon.In attempting to avoid damaging their own patent potential through poorly

timed publication , companies and academic institutions should take care not to overlook the defensive

use of publications. A successfully executed defensive publication strategy can ,without the need

for expensive patent prosecution , help secure freedom to operate by preventing others from patenting

in the technology space discussed in publication.

A tempting forum for defensive publishing is the standard company web site. The content

of the web sites is constantly changing , however and most do not include a method of verifying

the date and authenticity of the publication.