What does "swearing back" or "antedating" refer to in patent terminology?

In patent terminology, "swearing back" or "antedating" refers to establishing an earlier date of invention through evidence. This process is crucial in the context of patent law, particularly when a patent application is filed after another application that cites a similar invention. The applicant may need to provide proof, such as laboratory notebooks, dated records, or other documentation, to demonstrate that their invention was conceived or reduced to practice before the filing date of the competing application.

Antedating is particularly important because patent rights are often granted to the first inventor to file, but the actual date of invention can shift the balance of rights. If one can successfully establish an earlier date of invention, it may negate the validity of the subsequent application that claims priority.

Other choices focus on aspects that do not accurately describe the specific legal concept of "swearing back." For example, presenting new evidence, verifying claims, or submitting amendments, while relevant to the overall patent process, do not encapsulate the key function of antedating in establishing priority through evidence.