Legal Definitions - IDS

Definition: IDS is an abbreviation for Information-Disclosure Statement. It is a document that is submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) by a patent applicant to disclose any prior art or information that may affect the patentability of their invention.

Example: For example, if a patent applicant is aware of a publication or a product that is similar to their invention, they must disclose this information in an IDS. This is important because the USPTO uses this information to determine whether the invention is novel and non-obvious.

Another example: Let's say a company has filed a patent application for a new type of smartphone. In their IDS, they disclose that there is already a similar smartphone on the market. This information helps the USPTO determine whether the company's invention is truly novel and non-obvious.

Overall, an IDS is an important document that helps ensure that patents are granted only to truly novel and non-obvious inventions.