Novelty (patent)

The novelty in patent law in addition to the inventive step one of the basic requirements for patentability of an invention.

There is a new invention when not part of the "prior art ". The prior art includes everything (or the priority date ) of the public has been made ​​available prior to the date of the patent application.

For European patent applications and older, not yet published European applications under Article 54 ( 3 ) of the European Patent Convention ( EPC) as prior art. This particular serves to exclude several patents on the same subject.