Hi Werner,

Patent law is always tricky as you well know.

In this case having regular shaped (square, round, hexagon octagon) land as
opposed to an asymmetric or irregular shape (e.g., pad with a spur) is
something different. If the square pad does the job, then there is no need  to use
the pad with the spur concept but I don't believe that it would  invalidate the
patent. It all depends on what is claimed.

Very best,
Joe

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