Autobiographical writing is not something I do often, and
    in this case, I am doing it only because I was TOLD I must! I
    argued with one of your good Editors, but evidently our dear
    Publisher thinks a full introduction is in order.

        As Randy mentioned in the December issue, my name is Steve
    Carver, and I am a practicing attorney specializing in
    Intellectual Property Law, including Patents, Trademarks, and
    Copyrights.

        My undergraduate degree is in electrical engineering, and
    I have experience in electronics manufacturing, amateur and
    commercial radio, computer programming and servicing, and
    consumer electronics.

        I graduated Law School in 1974, established my Little Rock
    patent law firm in 1976, and we currently employ three patent
    attorneys serving clients nationwide. Our services include
    preparation and filing patent, trademark, and copyright
    applications, execution of subsequent action as required,
    intellectual property law litigation, patent, trademark, and
    copyright data base searching, negotiation and contract
    matters, and related licensing. We are also regularly involved
    in international filings, and enjoy a wide variety in
    intellectual property subjects.

        I am a member of the American Intellectual Property
    Association, the American Bar Association, the American Radio
    Relay League, the National Rifle Association, and most
    importantly B.A.S.S.! In addition to Arkansas, I have been
    admitted to the Bar in Missouri, Montana, and the U.S. Patent
    and Trademark Office.

        Outside the legal arena my interests are primarily focused
    in the areas of ham radio and computers. I hold an Extra Class
    Ham Radio License (K5PT) and spend time whenever possible at
    the low end of the 40, 20, and 15 meter bands running high
    speed Morse Code, with the occasional visit to the 75 and 160
    meter and run SSB.

        Computers have been a passion for many years, and have
    become a valuable tool as a part of the law practice. We
    operate a professional services BBS, and systems running Dos,
    OS/2, UNIX, and now WINDOWS NT. Our in-house systems provide
    data base services, client file data bases, and patent
    drawing, as well as the customary word processing. A firm
    believer in keeping abreast of the technology, I am subject to
    considerable harassment from employees for the "hardware
    upgrades" that take place right-on-the-spot!

        As for "how" I got here, I was introduced to InterNational
    Online Magazine by a client some months ago. I should note for
    the record, the client is the Editor I argued with, and he
    played his trump card by making that December issue
    introduction. I have enjoyed the magazine, and it seems to
    offer readers a variety of information ranging from
    entry-level to in-depth technical information. Available only
    online to BBS users, I understand it has been around, in one
    form or another, for over seven years, making it one of the
    initial steps into the future of electronic information
    exchange.

        I am very pleased to have been invited to join, and I hope
    to be able to provide some insight into this slightly gray
    portion of law. My monthly offerings will be dedicated to your
    questions and concerns on the subject of intellectual property
    law, especially as it affects (but certainly not limited to)
    computers, software, and electronic publication. Your
    inquiries are sincerely invited.

        The magazine menu will direct you to "USER FEEDBACK" where
    you may enter an E-Mail style message that your SysOp will
    upload back to the Arkansas River Valley OnLine Services BBS.
    Your questions and comments will be well received, and I will
    attempt to address them as completely as space allows.

        I can also be contacted directly through the A.R.V.O.S.
    BBS, in the InterNational Online Magazine Conference, or
    CompuServe (70521,153). I look forward to hearing from you!

    Stephen D. Carver
    Carver Patent Law, Ltd.
    Little Rock, Arkansas