Legal Definitions - same-invention double patenting

Definition: Same-invention double patenting is a type of double patenting where an inventor tries to get two patents for the same invention. This is not allowed because it would give the inventor an unfair advantage over others who want to use the invention.

Example: If an inventor applies for a patent on a new type of phone and then tries to get another patent on the same phone with a different name, this would be same-invention double patenting.

Explanation: The example shows how an inventor is trying to get two patents for the same invention, which is not allowed. The inventor would have an unfair advantage over others who want to use the phone because they would have to pay for two separate patents.