I've been pretty disappointed with the patent department the last few years

A patent is supposed to be for a unique invention or process.


A multitude of techniques for photographing against white have been around for decades and are well documented in photography books and magazines and techniques for photographing on white using digital photography are documented as well.

For the USPTO to award a patent for something that is already well documented before the patent was submitted goes against all their patent guidelines.


Here's a synopsis of this "unique" (not) technique:

There's nothing unique about using an 85mm lens either. Any zoom lens that goes from about 50mm to 80mm or even 200mm INCLUDEs an 85mm distance.There's nothing unique about a cyclorama either. Almost every photography studio and many home studios taking eBay pictures have a "cyclorama" in the form of a curved curtain, piece of paper, screen, or tent.


It's not supposed to be patentable if:

“(a) the invention was known or used by others in this country, or patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country, before the invention thereof by the application for patent,” or
“(b) the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country or in public use or on sale in this country more than one year prior to the application for patent in the United States . .