Blanket patents?

[krap101]

Recently there was a company called orbitec who was given a patent for the use of led technology in a marine environment. Can you really patent something like this because another company produced lights using leds, and now are getting sued. Wouldn't this be the equivalent of someone patenting the use of xenon lights in cars?

[divgradcurl]

Originally Posted by krap101

Recently there was a company called orbitec who was given a patent for the use of led technology in a marine environment. Can you really patent something like this because another company produced lights using leds, and now are getting sued. Wouldn't this be the equivalent of someone patenting the use of xenon lights in cars?

U.S. Law only.