One can always filter an omni source to make it directional.
And, don't forget that if you get a patent on a IEC based x-ray source, and someone subsequently figures out some practical use for it, or an improvement, they'll still have to come to you for licensing.
And, you can add the patent to your "publish or perish" list.
And, for many of us, our employer pays a bounty for having a) a patent application filed and b) having the patent issued, so there is an incentive to come up with patentable ideas (and the bounty provides the "tangible consideration" required for the "assignment of rights" to stick). Policies vary.. I got $1 (one) dollar for the assignment on my tornado machine patent.
Created on Sunday, February 18, 2001 12:18 PM EDT by James Lux