Why - Background Art - Non-U.S. Patents and Patent Applications
Applicants are obligated to inform (in a specified format) research sponsors and some patent offices of background art non-U.S. (foreign to the U.S.) patents or published patent applications of which they are aware. Failure to do so can threaten the validity of any associated patent that issues from the application.
Why - Background Art - Non-U.S. Patents and Patent Applications