"In order for an invention to be patentable it must be new as defined in the patent law, which provides that an invention cannot be patented if: “(a) the invent

"In order for an invention to be patentable it must be new as defined in the patent law, which provides that an invention cannot be patented if: “(a) the invention was known or used by others in this country, or patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country, before the invention thereof by the applicant for patent,”" [1]. [1] http://www.uspto.gov/patents/resources/general_info_concerning_patents.jsp#heading-5 http://www.uspto.gov/patents/resources/general_info_concerni...