What is a well-established utility in patent law?
A well-established utility in patent law is one that meets specific criteria as defined by the USPTO. According to the MPEP, An invention has a well-established utility if (i) a person of ordinary skill in the art would immediately appreciate why the invention is useful based on the characteristics of the invention (e.g., properties or applications of a product or process), and (ii) the utility is specific, substantial, and credible.
If an invention has a well-established utility, rejections under 35 U.S.C. 101 and 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, first paragraph, based on lack of utility should not be imposed. This concept is important because it can prevent unnecessary rejections when the utility of an invention is obvious to those skilled in the art, even if it’s not explicitly stated in the application.
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