Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: ENABLEMENT
Definition: Enablement is a term used in patents. It means that the patent application must describe the invention in a way that is clear and complete enough for someone with ordinary skills in that field to understand how to make and use the invention. If the description is not clear enough, the patent application will be rejected. This is to make sure that the invention can be made and used by others without too much difficulty.
Definition: Enablement refers to the disclosure of an invention in a patent application that is clear and complete enough to teach a person with ordinary skill in the relevant field how to make and use the invention. If the description is not sufficient to enable a person to work the invention without undue experimentation, the patent application may be rejected for lack of enablement.
Example: Let's say someone invents a new type of battery that is more efficient than existing batteries. In order to obtain a patent for this invention, the inventor must provide a detailed description of how to make and use the battery in the patent application. This description must be clear and complete enough that someone with ordinary skill in the field of battery technology could read it and understand how to make and use the new battery. If the description is not sufficient, the patent application may be rejected for lack of enablement.
Explanation: The example illustrates how enablement works in the context of patent applications. In order to obtain a patent, an inventor must provide a clear and complete description of their invention that enables someone with ordinary skill in the relevant field to make and use the invention without undue experimentation. This requirement ensures that patents are only granted for inventions that are truly novel and non-obvious, and that the public can benefit from the disclosure of new technologies.