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Question: Should it even matter what material the ridgeline is?

Whether it is a 4x4 post, a piece of bamboo, webbing, or a length of rope, it all sets the sag of the hammock. Subbing one...

Tell me, which of these (if any) are patent infringement, and why?

Options A, B, C, D:
http://i7.tinypic.com/6cqm70l.jpg

edit: forgive my MS paint skills

I did. Then I explained how that ridgeline is structural. If you cant see it, well... sorry?

As a DIYer, i have zero incentive to contact the PTO and challenge the patent. Its much easier to...

See picture on page 15. That rope, which is a ridgeline, is holding the entire hammock off the ground. It isnt just holding the tarp up.

The concept is so simple, of course it has been used before. All the sudden you give it a name, "structural ridgeline", and its an amazing patentable invention.

Threatening DIYers with patent lawsuits is just silly.

Patents like these are COMPLETELY unenforceable when it comes to DIY projects.