Intangible Property is a property without a physical existence. Examples of intangible property include patents, patent applications, trade names, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade secrets.
Some intangible...
patent law
intellectual property
Intellectual property (I.P. or IP) is a type of property encompassing the products of original human thought. Common examples of intellectual property include: the contents of a book, designs of an invention, computer software, company logos...
interference
Broadly speaking, interference in a legal setting is wrongful conduct that prevents or disturbs another in the performance of their usual activities, in the conduct of their business or contractual relations, or in the enjoyment of their full...
inventor
In the context of a patent, an inventor implements and uses unique idea(s) to create usable and working patentable subject matter, from a product to a process and its development and improvement that will solve a specific problem with...
know-how
Know-how refers broadly to any non-public information that individuals or companies acquire regarding how to or more easily use something in a business. The term is extremely broad and its nature depends on the knowledge being discussed....
nonobvious
Nonobvious describes a quality in patent law meaning that an invention was not readily apparent. In order to obtain a patent, an invention must be nonobvious. If someone of ordinary skill in a relevant field could easily make the invention,...
nonobviousness
Nonobviousness is a quality in patent law describing something that is not readily apparent. In order to obtain a patent, an invention must be nonobvious. If someone of ordinary skill in a relevant field could easily make the invention, then...
novel
See novelty.
[Last updated in September of 2023 by the Wex Definitions Team]
novelty
Novelty describes something that is new or original. A novel legal issue refers to a question that has not been addressed by the court, leaving the court with no binding precedent on the matter. A novel legal issue is commonly called a case...
one-year rule
A statutory rule that requires a patent application to be filed within one year of public use of the invention, a sale of or offer to sell the invention, or any publication describing the invention. If the applicant fails to file a patent for their...