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best-mode requirement.Patents. The requirement that a patent application show the best physical method known to the inventor for using the invention. Cf. ENABLEMENT REQUIREMENT. [Cases: Patents  98. C.J.S. Patents §§ 137–139.][Blacks Law 8th]

best interests of the child.Family law. A standard by which a court determines what arrangements would be to a child’s greatest benefit, often used in deciding child-custody and visitation matters and in deciding whether to approve an adoption or a guardianship. • A court may use many factors, including the emotional tie between the child…

best mode.Patents. The best way that the inventor knows to work the invention described and claimed in a patent or patent application. • A patent application must disclose the best mode known to the inventor at the time of the filing. Failure to disclose the best mode can render a patent invalid. 35 USCA § 112,…

best-interests-of-the-child doctrine.Family law. The principle that courts should make custody decisions based on whatever best advances the child’s welfare, regardless of a claimant’s particular status or relationship with the child. • One important factor entering into these decisions is the general belief that the child’s best interests normally favor custody by parents, as opposed to…

best-evidence rule.The evidentiary rule providing that, to prove the contents of a writing (or a recording or photograph), a party must produce the original writing (or a mechanical, electronic, or other familiar duplicate, such as a photocopy) unless it is unavailable, in which case secondary evidence — the testimony of the drafter or a person…

best evidence.See EVIDENCE. [Blacks Law 8th]

best endeavors.See BEST EFFORTS. [Blacks Law 8th]

best embodiment.See BEST MODE. [Blacks Law 8th]

best-efforts underwriting.See UNDERWRITING.[Blacks Law 8th]

best edition.Copyright. A particular version of a copyrighted work that is published in the U.S. before the date of deposit and that is designated by the Library of Congress, in its discretion, as the most suitable for its purposes. • Two copies of a copyrighted work, in the selected best-edition form, must be deposited with…