What is the significance of the date of invention?

The date of invention is significant because it represents the time when the inventor first conceptualized the invention and reduced it to practice. This date is crucial in the context of patent law, as it can determine the priority of rights when multiple inventors claim to have invented the same technology. The concept of "reduction to practice" refers to the actual implementation of the invention, whether through a working prototype or a detailed description that allows someone skilled in the art to make and use the invention.

Establishing the date of invention also plays a key role in the assessment of novelty and non-obviousness during the patent examination process. It can help resolve potential disputes regarding patent rights and can provide evidence for defending a patent against challenges, such as prior art. This is especially important in "first to invent" jurisdictions, where the date of invention can influence who is entitled to the patent.

Other choices present different concepts related to patents but do not correctly represent the significance of the date of invention. For example, the date of first patent application submission marks the beginning of the examination process and does not necessarily reflect when the invention was made. Similarly, the end of the patent term relates to the duration of protection offered by the patent but does not bear on the actual