knight rider online

just wondering if KITT was legally patented to protect against people reproducing him. they never really mentioned it. though i know he did have a serial number but that was probably just for FLAG security access purposes.

Not sure. They never really talked about it on the show (to my knowledge). The technology that was involved in KITT was so advanced and unique that they might not even thought about it.

I am thinking they may not have to be honest, because the problem with patenting something is that your invention is now open to the public to see. Patents hold info about how the things work, including schematics and details. If Wilton or FLAG had patented the technology in KITT, they would be giving the public details about KITTs design, which in my mind would be defeating the purpose for Tonya Walker to try to steal it from Wilton, she could have just went to the patent office and got the info she needed.

Some companies actually use this tactic of not patenting things for this reason. Intel has circuitry built into its processors that are so advanced, they do not patent it because they do not think their rivals could develop it on their own and patenting it would give them the idea for crafting their own version of the same circuitry.

Intellectual property is a funny thing, isn't it?

-Steve

Robocop had a seral number but was totally unique as well. At the rate technology advances they may not have felt it neccessary. By the time Robo needed re-built (after a year of operation) he was already obsolete.

Perhaps since KITT was constantly being improved they didn't need to worry about it. Even if someone managed got a hold of earlier plans they would be completely obsolete. Could you imagine season 4 KITT going up agaisnt a pirated season 1 KITT.