Legal Definitions - Section 103 rejection

Definition: A type of rejection in patent law where an invention is deemed obvious and therefore not eligible for a patent.

Example: If someone tries to patent a combination of two existing technologies that are commonly used together, such as a smartphone with a camera, they may receive a Section 103 rejection because the combination is considered obvious.

This example illustrates how a Section 103 rejection can occur when an invention is not considered unique or innovative enough to warrant a patent. It is important for inventors to thoroughly research existing technologies and patents before applying for their own patent to avoid this type of rejection.