Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A patent number is a unique identification number assigned by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to a patent. It helps to identify and distinguish a particular patent from others. When a patent number is affixed to a product, it gives notice to potential infringers of the patent rights. This is important because without the number, the patentee cannot recover losses that occur before the infringer has actual notice of the patent.
Definition: A patent number is a unique identifier assigned by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to a patent. It is used to distinguish one patent from another and is an important part of patent marking.
Example: If a company has been granted a patent for a new invention, they will be assigned a patent number by the USPTO. This number will be included in all documentation related to the patent, including the patent itself and any legal filings.
Explanation: The patent number is a crucial part of patent marking, as it provides constructive notice of patent rights to potential infringers. By affixing the patent number to a product or its packaging, the patentee can alert others to the fact that the product is protected by a patent. This is important because without the number in place, the patentee cannot recover losses that occur before the infringer has actual notice of the patent.