DOUBLE PATENTING

double patenting. 1. Obtaining two patents covering the same invention. • An inventor is not

allowed to receive more than one patent on one invention. — Also termed same-invention double

patenting.  [Cases:  Patents    120.]  2.  The  issuance  or  obtaining  of  a  patent  for  an  invention  that

differs  from  an  already  patented  invention  only  in  some  unpatentable  detail.  —  Also  termed

obviousness-type double patenting.

judicially  created  double  patenting.Attempting  to  patent  an  invention  that  is  an  obvious

variation  of  another  invention  by  the  same  inventor  when  the  first  invention  has  already  been

patented or has a pending patent application. • Double patenting is grounds for rejecting a patent

application, limiting the term of a patent through a terminal disclaimer, or invalidating a patent. In

re Longi, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985). A double-patenting challenge can be overcome by filing

a terminal disclaimer. — Also termed obviousness-type double patenting.

obviousness-type double patenting.See judicially created double patenting.

same-invention double patenting.See statutory double patenting.

statutory  double patenting.Attempting to  patent an invention that is the same subject  matter

as another invention by the same inventor, when the first invention has already been patented or

has a pending patent application. • Any double patenting is grounds for invalidating a patent claim

or  rejecting  a  claim  in  a  patent  application.  35  USCA  §  101.  —  Also  termed  same-invention

double patenting. [Blacks Law 8th]