Date: Wed, 18 Sep 1996 17:47:14 -0700 From: Tim Crean Message-Id: <199609190047.RAA10525@iplaw.Corp.Sun.COM> To: ipsec@TIS.COM Subject: Request For Prior Art For U.S. Patent Number 5,548,646 There have been recent Internet discussions relating to U.S. Patent No. 5,548,646 (the '646 patent) assigned to Sun Microsystems, Inc. ("Sun"). In particular, there have been suggestions that there is prior art that would bring into question the validity of the claims of the '646 patent. Sun strongly believes in obtaining and maintaining only those patent rights that are proper in light of any prior art that may exist. Sun does not have any interest in enforcing any patent claims having a scope beyond that to which it is properly and legally entitled. In keeping with this approach, if anyone is aware of prior art relevant to the '646 patent, please send information about the prior art to Sun in care of: Sun Patent Department 2550 Garcia Avenue, MS-UPAL01-521 Mountain View, CA 94043-1100 If any prior art turns up that is more relevant than the art that was before the Patent Office during prosecution of the '646 patent, Sun will take the appropriate steps to bring that art before the Patent Office so that the Patent Office can reconsider the claims of the '646 patent in light of the new art. The Patent Office considered two patent documents during prosecution of the '646 patent: U.S. Patent No. 5,416,842 and U.S. Patent No. 5,204,961. Sun suggests that those interested in this issue should first obtain and review both the '842 patent and the '961 patent before submitting additional art to Sun. Uncertified copies of patents can be obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Washington, D.C. by contacting USPTO Copy Sales at: Internet Site... http://www.uspto.gov/web/uspto/patsales/patsales.html Telephone Number...703-305-8716 Facsimile Number...703-305-8759 Mailing Address ...Commissioner Of Patents And Trademarks U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Box 9 Washington, D.C. 20231 Sincerely, Sun Microsystems, Inc.