I think it is possible that the integrity of the patent office has been compromised by political appointees (the close relationship to George Bush and the Republican party seem suspicious) Here a couple of examples: Vickers B. Meadows (she is in charge of human resources and corporate services) http://www.uspto.gov/biographies/bio_meadows.htm Stephen M. Pinkos (Deputy Director) http://www.uspto.gov/biographies/bio_pinkos.htm James E. Rogan (Director of Patent Office 2001-2004) had links to Jack Abramoff (lobbyist scandal) You can view more examples at this web address http://www.uspto.gov/biographies/executives.htm You can view my personal thoughts on this subject at http://www.geocities.com/jackson_robert58/patoffice.html (you can also view my clean energy concepts link on this site) I think the Patent Office shouldn't have any political appointees. There is a petition concerning the Patent Office at this website http://www.panacea-bocaf.org/Patentoffice.htm