Prior Art
Any evidence that an invention is already known, including previous patents, publications, or public uses, used to evaluate novelty and nonobviousness.
Encyclopedia entry: Prior Art
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prior art
All information that is publicly available before someone claims to invent something is prior art. Patents are only allowed for things that are novel and nonobvious . If the prior art contained a description of the supposed invention, it usually cannot be novel. If the prior art contained enough information that the invention would have been obvious to someone of ordinary skill in the relevant field, a patent also cannot be issued. See 35 U.S.C. §§ 102(a), 103(a) .
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.