Examples - Absolute Novelty

General. The following hypothetical examples teach this concept:

Hypothetical Example No. 1. Stephanie and Buckminster independently invent the same apparatus at about the same time. Stephanie publishes an article that discloses "how to make" and "how to use" the apparatus before Buckminster files a patent application on it. After that point in time, Buckminster's invention does not possess absolute novelty.

Hypothetical Example No. 2. Mary invents a device and secretly offers it for sale to Richard before she files a patent application on it. After that point in time, the device does not possess absolute novelty.

Hypothetical Example No. 3. Yury makes an oral presentation on his invention to a single person having no obligation of confidence to Yury before he files a patent application. The presentation is sufficient to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to which his invention pertains to practice the invention. After that point in time, the device does not possess absolute novelty.

Hypothetical Example No. 4. Enrico steals information about one of Maurice's inventions and publishes it before Enrico has a chance to file a patent application on it. After that point in time, the device does not possess absolute novelty.

Hypothetical Example No. 5. An invention is in the public domain in Bogota, Columbia. The invention does not possess absolute novelty.