Providing Knowledge and Insight Into the American Patent System
Welcome to PatentBasics.net
This website comprises information pertaining to patent law in America. The content and material on this website may contain information that may be found on USPTO.gov and other informational publications.
Perhaps you are interested in the presently evolving American Patent System. New laws have recently passed that will forever change the manner in which patents are filed and obtained in the United States. You can click here for a synopsis of the changes as provided by CNNMoney in a September 9, 2011 publication on it's website. Most essentially, the USA is switching over from a "first to invent" to a "first to file" system in order to promote efficiency in the application process and within the court system, and to better comply with the majority of countries who also utilize a "first to file" system.
As noted by the USPTO, "issuing patents to the first person or company to file will help provide clarity in the patent-granting process. It will prevent inventors from coming out of the woodworks to challenge pending patents."
If you'd like some more information on the patent process, including a flowchart illustrating the various steps in the process, click here.
