Prior Use - Russian Patents
I own a valid Russian patent. What happens if it turns out that somebody has used my invention before my filing the application?
According to Article 1361 of the Russian Civil Code, the person who has in good faith used a solution identical to the patented invention before its priority date, retains the right to use the same solution without increasing the scope of its use (the right of prior use). Therefore, the patent holder is entitled to request from the said person that the volume of use not be increased.
It is important to note that if the other party is able to prove that prior use de facto represented public prior use/open use (which means, in general terms, that the solution has been disclosed to the public in sufficient details), there is a threat of the patent’s invalidation on the grounds of lack of novelty.
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