Legal Definitions - combination

A combination is when individuals or companies work together to achieve a common goal, usually related to making money. It can also refer to a conspiracy or straddle. In the context of patents, a combination is when old and new elements are brought together to create a new invention that performs a useful function.

• A group of companies forming a consortium to bid on a government contract is an example of a combination.
• In the past, an inventor had to show "synergism" to get a combination patent, but now most inventions build on existing technology, so there are no special rules for combination patents.
• A combination in a patent could be a new machine that uses existing parts in a new way to perform a useful function.

These examples illustrate how a combination can be used in different contexts, from business to patents. In each case, it involves bringing together different elements to achieve a common goal or create something new and useful.