What is a Disclosure Document and Its Importance in Patent Law?
Definition & Meaning
A disclosure document is a formal record that outlines an invention and is signed by the inventor or inventors. This document serves as proof of the date of conception of the invention and is submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). It can be submitted by any inventor, a joint inventor, the owner of the invention, or their legal representative, such as an attorney or agent.
While a disclosure document is important, it is not the only way to establish the date of conception. Other acceptable forms of evidence include notarized records or laboratory notebooks that are permanently bound and page-numbered. Typically, a disclosure document is kept for two years and is destroyed afterward unless referenced in a related patent application within that timeframe. It is important to note that a disclosure document does not equate to a patent application.
Legal Use & context
The disclosure document is primarily used in patent law to establish the timeline of an invention's conception. It is relevant in various legal contexts, especially in intellectual property law, where inventors seek to protect their inventions. Users can manage the process of creating and submitting a disclosure document using legal templates available through US Legal Forms, which are drafted by experienced attorneys.
Real-world examples
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
Example 1: An inventor creates a new type of eco-friendly packaging. They prepare a disclosure document detailing the invention and submit it to the PTO to secure their conception date while they work on a patent application.
Example 2: A group of inventors collaborates on a new software application. They each sign a disclosure document, which is then submitted to the PTO by one of the inventors to establish the date of conception for their joint invention.