What is the significance of ‘statistical and practical significance’ in patent evidence?
When presenting evidence of unexpected results, MPEP 716.02(b) emphasizes the importance of both statistical and practical significance:
“The evidence relied upon should establish ‘that the differences in results are in fact unexpected and unobvious and of both statistical and practical significance.'”
Statistical significance means that the results are unlikely to have occurred by chance, typically demonstrated through appropriate statistical tests. Practical significance refers to the real-world importance or applicability of the results. Both aspects are crucial: results must not only be statistically valid but also meaningful in the context of the invention’s potential use or impact in its field.
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