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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.