What is considered prior art for the purpose of Disclosure?

Prior art, for the purpose of disclosure, encompasses any information that was available to the public prior to the effective filing date of a patent application. This definition is fundamental in understanding what constitutes prior art, as it serves to ensure that the patent system does not reward inventions that are already known or publicly disclosed.

Option C is correct because it aligns with the legal standards established under patent law, which specify that prior art includes any patents, printed publications, and public disclosures that exist before the effective filing date of an application. This includes anything that can be accessed by someone skilled in the relevant field, ensuring that the applicant is not granted a patent for an invention that isn't novel or non-obvious over what already exists.

The other options incorrectly define what prior art encompasses:

• Materials published after the effective filing date cannot be considered prior art as they do not inform the state of the art at the time the application was filed.

• Limited information that can be "sworn back" through declaration does not represent the broader scope of prior art, which includes publicly accessible information regardless of whether it could be sworn back.

• Information shared through private communications would not qualify as prior art because it typically lacks public accessibility, which is a key criterion for something to be classified