Legal Definitions - art unit

Definition: An art unit is a group of patent examiners who specialize in a specific field of technology at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Each art unit is led by a senior patent examiner.

Example: The art unit for computer software might include patent examiners who have expertise in programming languages, operating systems, and software applications. They would review patent applications related to computer software and determine whether they meet the requirements for a patent.

Explanation: The example illustrates how an art unit is a specialized group of patent examiners who have knowledge and experience in a particular field of technology. The computer software art unit would be responsible for reviewing patent applications related to software and ensuring that they meet the legal requirements for a patent. This helps to ensure that patents are granted only for inventions that are truly novel and non-obvious in their field.