SUMMARY
The US Patent Office granted Patent 6,960,975 to Boris Volfson for an antigravity device, which contradicts its own policy against patents that defy the laws of physics. Physicist Robert Park criticizes this decision, arguing it undermines the patent office's credibility and allows for the promotion of scientifically unfounded inventions. The patent describes a space vehicle utilizing a superconducting shield to manipulate space-time, a concept rooted in fringe science. The discussion highlights the challenges patent examiners face in distinguishing viable inventions from those based on false scientific claims.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of patent law, specifically 35 U.S.C. 101
- Familiarity with superconductors and their theoretical applications
- Knowledge of the scientific method and principles of physics
- Awareness of the implications of patenting non-functional inventions
NEXT STEPS
- Research the implications of Patent 6,960,975 and its scientific validity
- Study the history of patents on perpetual-motion machines and their legal outcomes
- Examine the role of the US Patent Office in evaluating scientific claims
- Explore the concept of gravity-modification and its theoretical foundations
USEFUL FOR
Inventors, patent attorneys, physicists, and anyone interested in the intersection of science and patent law will benefit from this discussion.