§ 100. — Definitions.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 35USC100]
TITLE 35--PATENTS
PART II--PATENTABILITY OF INVENTIONS AND GRANT OF PATENTS
CHAPTER 10--PATENTABILITY OF INVENTIONS
Sec. 100. Definitions
When used in this title unless the context otherwise indicates--
(a) The term ``invention'' means invention or discovery.
(b) The term ``process'' means process, art or method, and includes
a new use of a known process, machine, manufacture, composition of
matter, or material.
(c) The terms ``United States'' and ``this country'' mean the United
States of America, its territories and possessions.
(d) The word ``patentee'' includes not only the patentee to whom the
patent was issued but also the successors in title to the patentee.
(e) The term ``third-party requester'' means a person requesting ex
parte reexamination under section 302 or inter partes reexamination
under section 311 who is not the patent owner.
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 797; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B,
Sec. 1000(a)(9) [title IV, Sec. 4603], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536,
1501A-567.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Paragraph (a) is added only to avoid repetition of the phrase
``invention or discovery'' and its derivatives throughout the revised
title. The present statutes use the phrase ``invention or discovery''
and derivatives.
Paragraph (b) is noted under section 101.
Paragraphs (c) and (d) are added to avoid the use of long
expressions in various parts of the revised title.
Amendments
1999--Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106-113 added subsec. (e).
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective Nov. 29, 1999, and applicable
to any patent issuing from an original application filed in the United
States on or after that date, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV,
Sec. 4608(a)] of Pub. L. 106-113, set out as a note under section 41 of
this title.
