Just saw this (see link) - Meade just filed suit against six major
manufacturers of astronomical telescopes because they infringe upon its proprietary process of utilizing
clear skies to perform astronomical observing, a process protected
under US Patent No. 77145.618.
See:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/04/218/meade.suit.ap/index.html
Bob Berta