Prior User Rights Study Report to Congress - America Invents Act

Appendix D: Comparison Chart of Studied CountriesPrior Use ActivitiesDefinition ofPrior UserScope of PriorUser ActivitiesTransferAustraliaBrazilCanadaChinaDenmarkFranceGermanyJapanRepublicof KoreaMexicoRussianFederationUnitedKingdomUnitedStatesExploitation or definitivesteps toward exploitationExploitation of thepatented subject matterPurchase, construction oracquisition of a laterpatented inventionUse/manufacture ormaking necessarypreparations for sameExploiting the inventioncommercially orsubstantial preparationsPossession of theinvention (preparations ofan industrial/productivenature)Use or necessaryarrangements to do thesameWorking the invention orpreparing for the sameWorking the invention orpreparing for the sameUse or necessarypreparations for the sameUse or necessarypreparations for the sameActs that would constituteinfringement or effectiveand serious preparationOne full year ofcommercial useAcquisition okRequires good faithAcquisition okRequires good faithAcquisition okRequires good faithAcquisition okRequires good faithAcquisition okRequires good faithAcquisition okRequires good faithnoAcquisition okRequires good faithAcquisition okRequires good faithAcquisition okNo good faithrequirement in lawRequiresconception; requiresgood faithAcquisition okRequires good faithRequires reductionto practiceRequires good faithScope may not beextended from prioruseIn same mannerunder sameconditionsScope may not beextended from prioruseScope may not beextended from priorusePrior User Rightexploitation mustretain its generalcharacterAny equivalents ofthe patentedinventionLimited to theparticular needs ofthe businessExtent of inventionon purpose of suchbusinessScope of theobjective of theinvention or therelated businessScope may not beextended from prioruseScope may not beextended from prioruseDoes not affect theessence of theinventionScope that mightotherwise beconsideredinfringing useFreely assignableOnly together withbusiness, or part ofbusiness to which itbelongsEncompassespurchase,construction oracquisition –transfer unclearOnly together withbusinessOnly together withbusinessOnly together withbusiness, or part ofbusiness to which itbelongsOnly together withbusinessOnly together withbusiness, or withpatent owner’sconsent or bysuccessionOnly together withbusiness or withpatent owner’sconsent or bysuccessionPrior user rights arenot transferableOnly together withbusiness, or part ofbusiness to which itbelongsOnly together withbusiness, or part ofbusiness to which itbelongsOnly together withthe entire enterpriseor line of business60