Teach Toward-Teach Away: A prior art reference that suggests or points
in the direction of the present invention is said to teach toward the invention
and is evidence that the invention is obvious. A prior-art reference that
diverges and points in a technical direction away from the present invention is
evidence that the invention is unobvious. Prior art must be looked at in its
entirety.
Teach: To inform and instruct by way of the documents making up the
prior art. The prior art references teach the technology disclosed in them or
revealed by them.
Teaching Away: The situation in which a prior art reference suggests
that a claimed invention is not possible.
Technical Field: The field of art to which the invention pertains.
Technology Manager: The person in a public sector or private sector
organization who is responsible for managing the intellectual property of the
organization. Various titles are used for the position, including
Technology-Transfer Officer, Licensing Associate, etc. The Association of
University Technology Managers (AUTM) has over 1,200 members. Another such
organization, the Licensing Executives Society (LES), has over 6,000 members
worldwide.
Term of Patent: The maximum number of years that the monopoly rights
conferred by the grant of a patent may last.
Terminal Disclaimer: A document filed with the USPTO by an applicant,
assignee or patent attorney or agent wherein a terminal portion of the normal
term of the patent is given up.
Terminal Disclaimer: Where an obviousness-type double patenting
rejection has occurred, an applicant may file a document indicating that the
term of the second patent will end upon expiration of the first patent to issue.
Title of Invention: A brief but technically accurate name for an
invention.
Trade Name: A name used to identify a business entity.
Trade Secret: Information kept secret by an organization for the
purpose of maintaining a competitive advantage.
Trademark: A word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination
thereof, used by a manufacturer or by a vendor in connection with a product.
Traverse: To dispute the decision of an examiner. In proceedings
before the USPTO, failing to traverse an examiner's reliance on alleged
"common knowledge" or information that is alleged to be "well
known" in the art can result in the allegation becoming an admission, and,
hence, "fact" even though it is no true.
