I haven't read the patent in question for this case.
However, what is USUALLY the case with patents is that they are far narrower than what is claimed by the company or in the press. "Company patents pencils!" says the news article. When you read the patent you find that they've patented a very, very, very narrow use of pencils and that few, if any of the world's pencil uses are encompassed by the patent.
However, what is USUALLY the case with patents is that they are far narrower than what is claimed by the company or in the press. "Company patents pencils!" says the news article. When you read the patent you find that they've patented a very, very, very narrow use of pencils and that few, if any of the world's pencil uses are encompassed by the patent.