Database patents

[Peps]

If i create a database for a specific type of database structure, can I
patent and sell that database to other users, even if it still needs the
MSAccess program to run it.

 

[John Nurick]

Hi Peps,

Sell? in principle, probably yes. If you get the "developer's" edition
of your version of Access, you can even distribute a free run-time
version of Access with your application.

Patent? this is a different and much, much more complicated issue.

 

[Mandevu]

If i create a database for a specific type of database structure, can I
patent and sell that database to other users, even if it still needs the
MSAccess program to run it.

Another option besides Patenting is Copyright - this gives you ownership
of the database structure in that it becomes your intellectual property.
I have done this with a spreadsheet which theoretically can be
reproduced on a number of spreadsheet programs such as Excel, Lotus,
QauttroPro etc. To start you can apply for a copyright number - then
proceed from there.