- prior art
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prior art n: the processes, devices, and modes of achieving the end of an alleged invention that were known or knowable by due diligence before and at the date of the invention; also: the knowledge or description of such processes, devices, or modes— used chiefly in patent law
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.
- prior art
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In patent law, all technology and publications available before the date of invention or anything available about the invention more than one year prior to filing the application. A patent will not issue if prior art is uncovered by a patent examiner that demonstrates somebody already came up with the same idea — that is, all of the significant elements in the applicant's innovation were embodied in an existing innovation.Category: Patent, Copyright & Trademark → Patent Law
Nolo’s Plain-English Law Dictionary. Gerald N. Hill, Kathleen Thompson Hill. 2009.
- prior art
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Publications and prior uses forming part of the state of the art at the priority date of a patent and identified by a UK Patent Office search or relied on by a party seeking to invalidate the patent.
Practical Law Dictionary. Glossary of UK, US and international legal terms. www.practicallaw.com. 2010.
