3 ms·
did we switch from prior art to first to patent a few years back?
by delbel 8y ago
did we switch from prior art to first to patent a few years back?
- pwg 8y agoThe switch was from "first to invent" to "first to file". Prior art is still prior art, just the same in both types of "filings". The "first to file" setup changed some of the critical date ranges around slightly that determine under what statute clause any given publication (i.e. prior art) may be used, but did not change the fact that a prior publication effects the patenting of a later application. Now, getting that prior publication in the hands of the patent offices so they can utilize it to effect a later application, that is the hard part. Esp. if that prior publication was not somewhere big and well known (i.e., a personal blog would be a prior publication, but it is doubtful any of the patent offices would discover the personal blog on their own).
- DennisP 8y agoWe switched from "first to invent" to "first to file," but published prior art still invalidates a patent. The change just means that if two people try to patent something that they've invented privately, then the one with priority is the one who filed first.
- delbel 8y agoOh ok thanks, I honestly got mixed up in concepts. Glad to clear this up.
- Nomentatus 8y agoOnly if the publication/art is rather well known to practioners. Mere publication is ignored now.