Legal Definitions - independent invention

Definition:Independent invention refers to the creation of a patentable device or process through individual effort and exceptional skill or ingenuity. It can also refer to the act of creating such a device or process.

Examples: An inventor creates a new type of engine that is more efficient and powerful than any existing engine. Another inventor creates a new type of computer algorithm that can solve complex problems faster than any existing algorithm. Both of these inventions are examples of independent invention because they were created through individual effort and exceptional skill or ingenuity.

Explanation: Independent invention is important in patent law because it helps to determine whether an invention is truly novel and non-obvious. If an invention is created independently and without knowledge of any existing patents or inventions, it is more likely to be considered novel and non-obvious. This is because it demonstrates that the inventor had exceptional skill or ingenuity and was not simply copying or building upon existing ideas.