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Today's Terms
Independent Inventor Programs (OIIP)
Definition:
The Office of Independent Inventor Programs (OIIP) was established in March 1999 in order to meet the special needs of independent inventors. OIIP establishes new mechanisms to better disseminate information about the patent and trademark processes and to foster regular communication between the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office and independent inventors.
Novelty and prior art
Definition:
A trade secret may be a device or process which is patentable; but it need not be that. It may be a device or process which is clearly anticipated in the prior art or one which is merely a mechanical improvement that a good mechanic can make. Novelty and invention are not requisite for a trade secret as they are for patentability. These requirements are essential to patentability because a patent protects against unlicensed use of the patented device or process even by one who discovers it properly through independent research.
Suspension Letter
Definition:
Suspends the action on an application. An application may be suspended for a variety of reasons.
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