The explicit or implicit relinquishment of a potential patent right. Simple inaction may render a patent right abandoned

This is when the prior art indicates that a patent application lacks novelty.

The person or corporate body that applies for the patent and intends to 'work' the invention (to manufacture or license the technology). Under US law the applicants must be the inventor(s) except under exceptional circumstances.

Papers comprising petition, specification, drawings (when required), one or more claims, oath or declaration and filing fee, whereby an applicant seeks a patent.

The person(s) or corporate body to whom all or limited rights under a patent are legally transferred. Assignment Transfer of all or limited rights under a patent.

One who assigns a patent right.

An examined German patent application (second publication) now eliminated (see Offenlegungsschrift and Patentschrift).

The first member of a Derwent patent family. This may or may not be the first published patent (which is usually the first to be documented by services such as Derwent World Patents Index).

Citations may be made by the examiner or author. They comprise a list of references that are believed to be relevant prior art and which may have contributed to the "narrowing" of the original application. The examiner can also cite references from technical journals, textbooks, handbooks and sources.

The definition of the monopoly rights that the applicant is trying to obtain for the invention. The claims become the actual monopoly that is given when/if the patent is granted.

(see Continuing Applications) Applicable mainly in the US, continuations are second or subsequent applications which are subsequently filed while the original parent application is pending. Continuations must claim the same invention as the original application to gain the benefit of the parent filing date.

(see Continuing Applications) Generally referred to as a 'C.I.P' this is essentially the same as the continuation with the exception that some new material may be included. The disclosure of the parent is usually amplified and the C.I.P may claim the same or a different invention. A C.I.P application is accorded the benefit of the filing date of the parent application to the extent of the two applications' common subject matter. The C.I.P must be filed while the original parent application is pending for any disclosed material in common with the parent.

There are three types of continuing applications: division, continuation and continuation-in-part

A publication and disclosure to the public of a pending patent application.

A type of patent covering the shape characteristics of an object.

(see Continuing Applications) If the patent office decides that an application covers too large an area to be considered as a single patent, then the application is split into one or more divisional applications. A divisional application has the same specification as the "parent" but claims a different invention .

The first public disclosure of details of an invention. This may be : 1. deliberately revealed outside the patent system to make the invention unpatentable, or 2. what is described in a patent application

In some countries, such as the USA, this refers to where an application has been resolved by being withdrawn, rejected or granted. It can also have the connotation of being rejected only.

One or more specially-prepared figures filed as a part of a patent application to explain and describe the invention. Drawings (or illustrations, where appropriate) are more commonly found with inventions for mechanical or electrical devices. As a rule, chemical patents will include chemical formulae in the description of the invention and/or in the examples.

This is a requirement imposed on all persons involved with the patenting process to disclosure information (patents, articles, laboratory data etc.) to the patent examiner that may affect the granting of a patent.

A patent entering the Derwent system which relates to the same invention and shares the same priority application as a patent from a different issuing authority already held in Derwent World Patents Index (see also non-convention equivalent).

Nineteen European countries are parties to the European Patent Convention. A patent application filed under this convention will, when granted, usually automatically be effective in each of the countries designated by the applicant.

A patent office official who is appointed to determine the patentability of applications.

1. A worked description of one aspect (embodiment) of theinvention within the patent application. 2. Possible alternative embodiments of the invention within the patent application, with little detail provided.

The date when a patent has run its full term in a country and is no longer protected there (see alsoLapse, Withdrawn).