What is the objective of the affidavit needed to "swear back" and antedate an invention date?

The objective of the affidavit needed to "swear back" and antedate an invention date is to establish a timeline of conception and diligence. This process is essential in patent law because it allows an inventor to assert a date of invention that predates a competing patent, which can be critical in determining priority. In order to successfully antedate an invention, the affidavit must provide concrete evidence demonstrating that the inventor conceived of the invention, and that they were diligent in reducing it to practice.

This timeline is crucial in resolving disputes over patent rights, particularly when multiple parties claim to have invented the same technology. Therefore, the affidavit serves to document the specific date of conception and the steps taken toward developing the invention, fulfilling the requirement to demonstrate that the inventor was not only the first to conceive the idea but also actively worked on it leading up to the formal filing of a patent application.