The America Invents Act (AIA), which was commonly referred to as the “patent reform bill,” was signed into law in 2011, rolled out in 2012 and 2013, and business owners are still wondering what, if anything, it means to them. There’s a lot you may not know.

If you or your business develops inventive products and you are on the fence as to whether to protect those products, now is the time. As of March 16, 2013, the United States moves from a first-to-invent system to a modified first-to-file system.

First-to-File System (Effective March 2013) -

Every country in the world, except for the United States, has a first-to file patent system in place, which means that the first person or company to file a patent application on a particular technology has the right to pursue a patent on that invention (the “race to the patent office”). The United States was the only country that utilized a first-to invent system, which meant that if you filed second, but invented first, you could still pursue a patent on your invention.