What is Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d) and when does it apply?

Pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(d) is a provision of patent law that establishes statutory bars against granting a patent in the United States under certain conditions related to foreign patents or inventor’s certificates. It’s important to note that this provision is not applicable to applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file (FITF) provisions…

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What does “known or used by others in this country” mean in pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)?

According to the MPEP, “The statutory language ‘known or used by others in this country’ [pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(a)], means knowledge or use which is accessible to the public.” This interpretation was established in the case of Carella v. Starlight Archery. The MPEP further clarifies that for knowledge or use to be considered accessible to…

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