Glossary of Terms: Decoding Acronyms and Legal Forms
SyncIDS is designed for patent attorneys and IP legal teams who manage patent portfolios and file Information Disclosure Statements (IDSs) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Use our Glossary of Terms to help navigate our site's acronyms, forms, and legal terms. If you need help finding an attorney to help with your filing, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offers a searchable database of IP legal professionals nationwide.
IDS
An Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) is a formal document filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) by patent applicants or their representatives. Its primary purpose is to disclose any relevant prior art or information that may affect the patentability of the invention being claimed.
IP
Intellectual Property (IP) refers to the legal rights that protect creations of the mind, such as inventions, artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce. IP is vital for encouraging innovation and creativity by providing creators and inventors with exclusive rights to their work, allowing them to benefit financially and control how their creations are used.
NPL
In the patent world, NPL stands for Non-Patent Literature. This term refers to any written or published material that is not covered by patents but may still be relevant to the patent examination process. NPL is often used in the context of prior art searches and assessments of patentability.
Prior Art
In the patent world, prior art refers to any evidence that your invention is already known before the date of your patent application. This can include anything that has been publicly disclosed, such as patents, publications, products, or other types of information that relate to the same invention or technology. Prior art is critical in determining whether an invention is novel and non-obvious, which are essential criteria for patentability.
Specifically, the USPTO defines prior art as: "...those references or documents which may be used to determine novelty and non-obviousness of claimed subject matter in a patent application.”
PTO/SB/08A and 08B
Information Disclosure Statements (IDS) are known by the USPTO as PTO/SB/08A and 08B. These forms are simply the governmental identification reference for the IDS.
USPTO
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency responsible for granting patents and registering trademarks in the United States. It plays a vital role in promoting innovation and protecting intellectual property rights, which are essential for fostering economic growth and technological advancement.