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GLOSSARY

Absolute novelty definition

Published by a LexisNexis IP expert

What does Absolute novelty mean?

Absolute novelty, in patent law, means that an invention is new if it has not been used or published anywhere in the world.

This is the standard of novelty used in the United Kingdom and under the European Patent Convention. A patent will only be granted where, amongst other things, a patent is novel.

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Patent invalidity and revocation

This Practice Note discusses the grounds for patent invalidity and revocation under the Patents Act 1977 (PA 1977), focusing on lack of novelty (anticipation) and insufficiency. It also explains the key terminology which is relevant to patent validity considerations, such as the priority date, the person skilled in the art (or the skilled addressee) and common general knowledge (CGK).The rationale behind patents, which protect new inventions, is that they encourage innovation because they reward the patent owner with 20 or more years during which they can prevent others from infringing their patents, that is, making, using, importing or selling the invention without permission. For more information, see Practice Note: Patent infringement.A patent is granted following a formal application and registration procedure. During this process (which is referred to as patent prosecution), the patent application is examined by a patent examiner at the relevant intellectual property office (eg the UK Intellectual Property Office and European Patent Office (EPO)) to check whether the invention claimed is patentable (ie satisfies the patentability criteria)...

Doing business in the UAE

Doing business in the UAE Updated August 2024 Introduction The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is strategically located at the crossroads of major Western and Eastern economies. It is a constitutional federation of seven Emirates, each with its own local government, united under the overarching leadership of the Supreme Council and the Council of Ministers. As a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the UAE is part of the Middle East's only multi-national common market, with the aim to further cross-border economic and fiscal integration. Doing business in the UAE offers diverse opportunities. This guide provides an overview of key considerations for foreign investors entering the UAE market and essential steps to commence operations. This guide provides an overview of setting up a business in Mainland UAE, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). While we have focused on these jurisdictions, individuals wishing to establish a business in the UAE have a wide range of options to consider. The UAE offers a...

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