prior art

What is a novel invention? Patent novelty refers to the uniqueness of an invention. To be patentable, an invention must be both novel and nonobvious. An…

What is an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS)? Every patent applicant has a duty to disclose to the USPTO all known prior art or other information…

Can an expired patent still be prior art against a pending application? Yes, an expired patent is still prior art. Prior art has nothing to…

Can you patent a new use of an old product? Yes, it is possible to patent a new use of an old product. That’s the…

Why is an IDS required? The USPTO places an obligation on each patent applicant to disclose any known prior art references that are relevant to…