The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-12-08
GERMAN PATENTS
AID AMERICANS
2o,300 Thrown Open for Ex-
pIoItatlon.

WASHINGT0N--hlsAough spproxi-
mateiy 1880 German patents are now
open Tor exploitation by American
changes may be looked for. The Ger
man patents cover nothing fundamen-
tai, Most Of them protect minor indus
tries, OF details OF larger ones.
The most valuable relate to chemical
formulas for drugs and dyes; nest IN
order are the patents for oil engines
and electrical devices, Z
While German patents have been
taken out right along during the war,
no patents for military inventions have
been applied for.
None OF the mueh.heralded processes
for manufacturing substitute cloth out
OF wood pulp, synthetic rubber, or thc
other war inventions" have been pro-
tected by patent applications In the
United States,
Records No Value.
While the patent Office records dis
close that the Germans were inventing
all sorts Of war devices before the war,
including liquid flame projectors and
other devices barred by the Geneva
and Hague treaties none OF the patents
on record here are Of any value now.
As to the gas and flame devices II ID
we'll known that the American army IL
not copying the German devices, but
has perfected a number Of secret hell
fire" devices OF lis own, which will
probably make the Germans regret they
ever resorted TO such things.
The bureau Of mines Tor many months
has been working on the production of
new poison gases, gas projectors ahd
new kinds OF flame and inflammsble
shells.
Stray Dsgs Suffer.
Washfnston's stray dog and cat pops
ulation has suffered much from the ex-
periments Of the bureaus inventors.
These things are guarded aod not pat-
cnted.
The bulk Of the German patented
chemical processes are 'Jokers" In that
they DO not reveal, as required BY law.
enough to enable anyone 10 copy the
processes by reading the patent spscifi-
cations.
Usually the conditions OF temperature
and pressure under which certai't
combinations take place are concealed.
II requires long experiments In lAbora~
tories to find out how to make 4 Ger-
nnp patented dye or drug, but for two
ears American chemists have been o,
work and have unraveled nearly all oi
them.
i Licenses Isaued.
Issuance OF licenses to manufactur,
German patented articles by the trad,
commission will be on the basis OF pub
lie interest The commission may ii,
whatever terms II pleases, and may ever
regulate prices. - This will be done Il
the case OF certain medicines.
All american manufacturers VIII
wish TO make German patented article
have available TO them the records a.
the patent office. and most NJ them
know already exactly what the Ger
man, have 10 their line and what they
want.
The number OF firms TO be licensed
and all such matters are at the dissre-
tion Of the trade commission, and one
Of the first requirements OF q license
Is that he must be able to manufacture
the article 10 question and have finan-
eial and material equipment.
Waste Prsvssts.
| A. the licenses are 10 be issusd in
the public interest few exclusive H.
censes will be granted; but the num-
her will he limited, 10 prevent wasteful
competition and duplication OF eifer,
IN wartime
The licenses are issued for the life oi
the patent, and u peace came tomorrow
the licences would lose nothing.
Each licensee must pay 10 the trade
commission a royalty, which will be ad.
justed, 10 each case, but which will
amount roughly 10 5 percent Of the
value Of the use Of the pstsnt. These
funds will be kept by the commission 10
reimburse the German patentees after
; the war. II the Germans are dksstls-
fled, they have right. sitr the var 10
bring suit IN the federal courts Tor more
money, and II they can prove higher
; values for the use OF their patents, the
iicensee will have 10 reimburse them.
One OF the most important German
patented drugs. alvarsan. used for The
cure OF syphilis, will be made under
licenses issued by the trade commits
sion. -