GLOSSARY OF TERMS

CIRCUMVENT: To avoid, bypass or get around by artful maneuvering. For example, after disclosing an invention, a person or company knowledgeable in the law (or one that chooses to ignore the law) moves forward with the invention without the inventor.

DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT: The Disclosure Document Program is a service
provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the acceptance and preservation of the invention as evidence of the date of conception of an invention. This procedure will put you on record as having conceived and registered your concept with the USPTO. This is important, as the U.S. works under the "first to invent" policy, as opposed to other countries' policy of "first to file" for a patent. For this reason, it is critical you register your concept as soon as possible. Once filed, the Disclosure Document will be retained by the USPTO for two years. These documents will be kept in complete confidence by the USPTO without publication in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 122(b).
THE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT IS NOT A PATENT APPLICATION.

EPO: The European Patent Organisation

Established by the Convention on the Grant of European Patents (EPC) signed in Munich 1973, the EPO is the outcome of the European countries' collective political determination to establish a uniform patent system in Europe.

As a centralised patent grant system administered by the European Patent Office on behalf of all contracting states, it is a model of successful co-operation in Europe.
The European Patent Organisation is comprised of its legislative body, the Administrative Council and its executive body, the European Patent Office.

PRIOR ART: The body of knowledge publicly known anywhere in the world, as shown in earlier patents and other published material.

RECORD BOOK: A permanently bound, and page-numbered inventor's notebook that documents the who, where, when and how of the invention's origination and progress.
The Record Book must be witnessed by other than family members and/or notarized. Appropriate documentation is acceptable evidence of the conception date and ongoing development of an invention. The Record Book can be the winning difference in a potential dispute as to who originated and diligently pursued the idea. It can also provide the documentation needed to legally overcome someone who is attempting to circumvent you along the way.

SECRECY and NON-USE AGREEMENT: This agreement should be signed by anyone you disclose your invention to prior to filing a patent application. Failure to disclose an invention in confidence can be considered placing it into the public domain, which may present future problems in prosecuting the patent.

WIPO: The World Intellectual Property Organization

An international organization dedicated to promoting the use and protection of works of the human spirit. These works – intellectual property – are expanding the bounds of science and technology and enriching the world of the arts. Through its work, WIPO plays an important role in enhancing the quality and enjoyment of life, as well as creating real wealth for nations.

With headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, WIPO is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations system of organizations. It administers 23 international treaties dealing with different aspects of intellectual property protection. The Organization counts 179 nations as member states.

WORK-FOR-HIRE AGREEMENT: The purpose of the Work-For-Hire agreement is to avoid a common situation in which someone that provides services for you on the invention in the design, prototyping, engineering etc. arenas can’t come back and say that they improved your invention over and above what you disclosed to them and therefore claim a right in and to your invention. This is a common occurrence.