Introduction to Patents
Glossary of Patent Terms
Invention Disclosure
Patent Related Links
|
|
Introduction to Patents Glossary of Patent Terms Invention Disclosure Patent Related Links |
NoveltyThe first criteria for obtaining a patent is that the invention must be novel. This means that the invention must be different from everything in the world that has preceded it (the prior art). Even the addition of a small feature to an invention can qualify it as being novel. Novelty rejections (called "102" rejections) can only cite one prior art reference.
Copyright ©1996-2005 Ted Masters & Associates, Inc. Ted Masters - Patent Agent |