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Simple English definitions for legal terms
actual reduction to practice
Read a random definition: International Cooperative Frameworks: APEC and OECD
A quick definition of actual reduction to practice:
Actual Reduction to Practice: This is when an invention is physically made or a patent application is filed with enough information to teach someone how to make and use the invention without too much difficulty. It is important because it determines who gets the patent for the invention. It shows that the invention works as intended and is complete for patent purposes. There are also other types of reduction to practice, such as constructive and vicarious, but actual reduction to practice is the most important.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Actual reduction to practice is the demonstration that an invention works as intended and is complete for patent purposes. This can be achieved through physical construction and operation or by filing a patent application that provides enough detail for a person skilled in the art to make and test the invention without undue experimentation.
Example: If an inventor creates a new machine and tests it to ensure that it works as intended, this is an actual reduction to practice. Alternatively, if the inventor files a patent application that includes detailed instructions on how to make and test the machine, this is a constructive reduction to practice.
Explanation: Actual reduction to practice is important in determining priority between inventors competing for a patent on the same invention. It is necessary to demonstrate that the invention works as intended and is complete for patent purposes. This can be achieved through physical testing or by filing a detailed patent application. The examples illustrate the two ways in which actual reduction to practice can be achieved.