Scott Kelby’s 7 Point System for Adobe Photoshop CS3 is due to release on October 19th and sounds really promising. As you may know, I’ve previously raved about Kelby’s books. I expect no less of this one.

It is touted as “so revolutionary that he’s officially applied for a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.” (Amazon description). Something inside is a bit unsettled by this fact though.

A patent for an invention is a grant of property rights by the U.S. Government through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The patent grant excludes others from making, using, or selling the invention in the United States. (USPTO)

I am curious to see the scope of the patent that Mr. Kelby is seeking. The patent doesn’t appear to be published yet (let me know if you find a copy). If a patent issues, will readers be forbidden from discussing the techniques on forums, blogging about it, posting youtube videos of the system in action? Is there a license to use the patent included with the purchase of the book? What if I’ve got an 8th point that makes the system better? Can I use it without a royalty on the original patent? What is Adobe’s stance on this?

Perhaps I am overreacting? Please chime in with your thoughts on the matter.

[tags]photoshop, scott kelby, 7 point system, patent, rights[/tags]