United States Code/Title 35/Chapter 10/Section 100

'''Section 100. Definitions'''

When used in this title unless the context otherwise indicates—

(a) The term “invention” means invention or discovery.

(b) The term “process” means process, art or method, and includes a new use of a known process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, or material.

(c) The terms “United States” and “this country” mean the United States of America, its territories and possessions.

(d) The word “patentee” includes not only the patentee to whom the patent was issued but also the successors in title to the patentee.

(e) The term “third-party requester” means a person requesting ex parte reexamination under or inter partes reexamination under who is not the patent owner.

Source
(July 19, 1952, ch. 950, 66 Stat. 797; Pub. L. 106-113, div. B, Sec. 1000(a)(9) [title IV, Sec. 4603], Nov. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 1536, 1501A-567.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Paragraph (a) is added only to avoid repetition of the phrase “invention or discovery” and its derivatives throughout the revised title. The present statutes use the phrase “invention or discovery” and derivatives.

Paragraph (b) is noted under.

Paragraphs (c) and (d) are added to avoid the use of long expressions in various parts of the revised title.

1999
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 106-113 added subsec. (e).

Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 106-113 effective Nov. 29, 1999, and applicable to any patent issuing from an original application filed in the United States on or after that date, see section 1000(a)(9) [title IV, Sec. 4608(a)] of Pub. L. 106-113, set out as a note under of this title.