Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Fish farm and hydroponic greenhouse
Patent number: 5046451
Filing date: May 19, 1988
Issue date: Sep 10, 1991
Inventors: Glenn E. Inslee, Donald W. Inslee, Theophilus D. Inslee, Phillip D. Inslee

U.S. Classification: 119/3: 210/169
International Classification: A01K 6304

http://www.google.com/patents?id=yPglAA ... dq=5046451

If so, does that mean you can't sell system, or does a patent only last so long?

How long does a patent last?

Under recent changes in the laws, in the United States patents are now granted for a term of 20 years from the date of application (14 years for design patents). Different rules apply for patents covered by applications filed before June 8, 1995. Patents may be extended only by a special act of Congress (except for certain pharmaceutical patents).

After expiration of the term of the patent, the person holding the patent loses the right to exclude others from utilizing the invention, so that anyone can go ahead and make use of the invention without permission of the patent holder.
-------------------------------------------------

So, I guess even if the system was patented, it is no longer binding...

If you read through the patent and also look at the pics, its a specific setup they patented, one where from what I can tell the filter media is in the fish tank and also they are patenting something to do with tubes in the fishtank and airation to create current inside the tank.

The actual idea of aquaponics (fish tank providing nutrients to the plants) doesn't seem to be covered by the patent. Doesn't look like anything to be worried about.

Was the patent actually granted?....

Work undertaken by the New Alchemy Institute (Todd, McLarney et al) during the late 1960's and early 1970's....

Pre-dates the application... and demonstrates essentially the same principles... and more...

It was granted and here is a newer one granted in 2000!

Integrated aquaculture-hydroponics systems: nutrient dynamics and designer Diet Developement

Patent number: 6065245
Filing date: Oct 7, 1998
Issue date: May 23, 2000
Inventor: Damon E. Seawright
Primary Examiners: Fredrick T. French, III


Abstract
A dietary inclusion model for an integrated aquaculture-hydroponics system is derived from the concept of mass conservation. The model enables the maintenance of near-equilibrium concentrations of Ca, K, Mg, N, and P, suitable concentrations of Mn and Cu, and acceptable accumulation rates of Na and Zn, in representative integrated aquaculture-hydroponics systems, by modifying the mineral concentrations of the fish diets according to the model. The model is readily applicable to virtually any freshwater recirculating fish culture system operating at a recycle ratio sufficiently high to maintain appropriate nitrogen concentrations and having an environment suitable for hydroponic plant culture.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=TjsDAA ... onics+fish

The pictures look like a regular Aquaponics system...

Once again, in looking through the text of the patent, it looks to be more about the nutrients than the system they have a patent on, specifically modifying the fish food to get the optimum nutrient levels to the plants if I am reading it correctly.

So I would think this patent would be more for making a fish food specifically for aquaponics or something like that.