美國專利法第100條

美國專利法第100條(35 U.S.C. 100)定義了一些專利用語，包括：
invention是指發明(invention)或發現(discovery)
process是指程序(process)、技藝(art)或是方法(method)，包括已知程序、機構、製造、物質成分或材料的新用途
法規中的"United States"與"this country"是指美國本土，也就是專利在地主義
而專利權人(patentee)是指獲得專利的人，也包括繼承人
另規範"third-party requester"是指在再審程序(reexamination, 包括ex parte(第三方無法介入審查)與inter partes(第三方可介入審查)態樣)中非專利權人的第三方

在wikipedia的解釋是：
ex parte在拉丁文的意思是from one party，就是在判決中，僅由法官決定，並無須參閱其他方的爭議，可參考 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ex_parte
inter partes在拉丁文的意思是between the parties，就是在訴訟中，第三方可參與，包括上訴、影響判決等，可參考 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter_partes


原文：
SEC. 100: DEFINITIONS

When used in this title unless the context otherwise indicates -
(a) The term ''invention'' means invention or discovery.
(b) The term ''process'' means process, art or method, and includes a new use of a known process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, or material.
(c) The terms ''United States'' and ''this country'' mean the United States of America, its territories and possessions.
(d) The word ''patentee'' includes not only the patentee to whom the patent was issued but also the successors in title to the patentee.
(e) The term ''third-party requester'' means a person requesting ex parte reexamination under section 302 or inter partes reexamination under section 311 who is not the patent owner

Ron