What is the duration of the inventor's grace period for disclosures under AIA?

Under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), the duration of the inventor's grace period for disclosures is indeed 1 year. This grace period allows inventors to publicly disclose their invention without losing their right to patent it, provided that they file a patent application within one year from the date of that disclosure.

This provision is particularly significant for inventors who may need to present their inventions publicly (for instance, at trade shows or in publications) as part of the process of attracting investment or feedback. The grace period helps ensure that timing regarding public disclosures does not unduly disadvantage inventors when pursuing patent protection.

In contrast, other options like 6 months, 18 months, or 2 years do not align with the AIA's specific provisions regarding the grace period. The law clearly established the 1-year period to provide a balance between encouraging innovation and allowing inventors a fair opportunity to protect their intellectual property.