Patent Terms Glossary

Patent and Trademark Depository Library

Definition:
A library designated by the USPTO to receive copies of patents, CD-ROMs containing registered and pending marks, and patent and trademark materials that are made available to the public for free.

Application Number (patent)

Definition:
The unique number assigned to a patent application when it is filed. The application number includes a two digit series code and a six digit serial number.

Intellectual property

Definition:
Intellectual property refers to creations — including inventions, artistic works, names and designs — that are legally protected. Intellectual property includes patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets

PAC

Definition:
Patent Assistance Center (prior), now the Inventors Assistance Center or IAC.

Workflow Incoming Amendment IFW

Definition:
From Public PAIR/IFW - designates the point in time when an amendment is received in the Office and the paper scanning process may be started at the USPTO; does not indicate whether scanning has actually started.

Doctrine Of Equivalents

Definition:
A judicially created theory for finding patent infringement when the accused process or product falls outside the literal scope of the patent claims.

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