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Public use == “accessible to the public.”

Patently-O

by Dennis Crouch Bottom line in this new Minerva case — file your patent application before bringing a new product to a trade show. ” The invention was not yet “ready for patenting” and therefore its public use was not disqualifying. .” It was also pitched to a potential acquirer.

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I was already like this before you got here: prior use as an exception to patent infringement

Garrigues Blog

In an earlier blog, we discussed “prior public use” as grounds for opposing the grant of European patents (see here ). In addition, a third party’s use of an invention before its registration by another is also relevant to assess patent infringement.