Miranda warningRequirement that police tell a suspect in their custody of his or her constitutional rights before they question him or her.
Mirror ImageUsed in computer forensic investigations and some electronic discovery investigations, a mirror image is a bit-by-bit copy of a computer hard drive that…
mirroringThe duplication of data for purposes of backup or to distribute Internet or network traffic among several servers with identical data.
MIS (Management Information Systems)In general, a computer-based system that provides IT personnel with the necessary tools for categorizing, assessing, and efficiently running an…
MisdemeanorA criminal offense lesser than a felony and generally punishable by fine or by imprisonment of less than 1 year.
MisfeasanceImproper performance of an act which a person might lawfully do.
MistrialAn invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again from the selection of the jury.
MisuseUsing a patent right inappropriately, for example, for forcing a license to purchase a prodict that is not covered by the claims of the patent.
MiTEASMadrid International Trademark Electronic Application Submission
Mitigating circumstancesThose which do not constitute a justification or excuse for an offense but which may be considered as reasons for reducing the degree of blame.
MitigationTerm usually used to refer to various changes or improvements made in a home; for instance, to reduce the average level of radon.
Mobile Computer Terminal (MCT)(MCT)A fully-functional computer terminal (example: laptop) either permanently mounted or removable and containing its own central processing unit (CPU).
Mobile Data Computers/LaptopsMobile Data Computers (MDCs) are one of the most commonly funded items under the MORE program.
Mobile Data TerminalsMobile Data Terminals (MDTs) are also commonly funded under the MORE program. An MOT is a "dumb" computer terminal mounted in a vehicle that is linked via…
ModemA device that allows a computer system to transmit data over telephone or cable lines.
Money JudgmentA judgment directing the payment of a sum of money.
MonochromeDisplays capable of only two colors, usually black and white, or black and green.
MootA moot case or a moot point is one not subject to a judicial determination because it involves an abstract question or a controversy that has not yet…
MORE RetentionSupport personnel, as well as the redeployment resulting from equipment, technology, and/or support personnel, must be maintained and tracked for at least…
morning businessRoutine business that is supposed to occur during the first two hours of a new legislative day.
MosaicA web browser popular before the introduction of Netscape and Internet Explorer.
MotionA formal, written request filed with the court. Motions are made in court all the time for many purposes: to continue (postpone) a trial to a later date…
Motion for judgment of acquittalThe court, on motion of a defendant or on its own motion, must order the entry of a judgment of acquittal if the evidence on a given charge is…
Motion for new trialThe Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure allow the defendant to file a motion for a new trial within seven days of a verdict or finding of guilt by a judge.
Motion inLimine A motion made prior to trial by counsel or the pro se litigant requesting that information which might be prejudicial not be allowed in a case.
Motion to DismissA motion by the defendant, prior to trial or during trial, to dismiss the case due to claimed defects or flaws in the plaintiff’s pleadings or based on…
motion to lift the automatic stayA request by a creditor to allow the creditor to take action against the debtor or the debtor's property that would otherwise be prohibited by the…
motion to proceed to considerA motion, usually offered by the Majority Leader to bring a bill or other measure up for consideration.
Motion to QuashThis is the request of a tenant that the Court quash, or stop, the writ, usually temporarily until a court hearing on whether or not the tenant has a good…
Mount/MountingThe process of making off-line data available for on-line processing. For example, placing a magnetic tape in a drive and setting up the software to…
MPEG-1 & -2Two different standards for full motion video to digital compression/decompression techniques advanced by the Moving Pictures Experts Group.
MTTR (Mean Time To Repair)Average time to repair. The higher the number, the more costly and difficult to fix.
MultimediaThe combined use of different media; integrated video, audio, text and data graphics in digital form.
Multiple Dependent Claima dependent claim which further limits and refers back in the alternative to more than one preceding independent or dependent claim.
MultisynchAnalog video monitors which can receive a wide range of display resolutions, usually including TV (NTSC).
national stage applicationan application which has entered the national phase of the Patent Cooperation Treaty by the fulfillment of certain requirements in a national Office…
Native American Tribal Insigniainsignia that various federally and state recognized Native American tribes have identified as their official tribal insignia -- see Native American…
Native EnvironmentThe original configuration (software, passwords, server configuration, etc.) of a backup tape or email system.
Native FileA file in its original file format that has not been converted to a digital image or other file format
Native File FormatElectronic documents produced as originally maintained and used (e.g. Microsoft Word).
Native FormatElectronic documents have an associated file structure defined by the original creating application.
Natural Language SearchA manner of searching that permits the use of plain language without special connectors or precise terminology, such as Where can I find information on…
NaturalizationProcess by which a person acquires nationality after birth and becomes entitled to privileges of citizenship in a country other than that in which such…
NDISThe National DNA Index System. NDIS is one component of CODIS—the national and highest-level index containing the DNA records contributed from…
Near-Line DataA term used to refer to data or a robotic storage device (robotic library) that houses removable media, uses robotic arms to access the media, and uses…
Near-Line Data StorageStorage in a system that is not a direct part of the network in daily use, but that can be accessed through the network.
NeeWord used to show maiden family name of a married woman.
Negative LimitationA claim limitation that is excusive, e.g., "other than X" "incapable of X", etcetera. MPEP 2173.05(i).
NegligenceFailure to exercise a generally acceptable level of care and caution resulting in injury or damage to a third party.
NegligenciaDejar de hacer algo que haría una persona razonable guiada por consideraciones normales, o hacer algo que no haría una persona razonablemente prudente.
NestingDocument nesting occurs when one document is inserted within another document (i.e.
Net"Net" means the value of your assets after subtracting your debts.
Net IncomeYour take-home pay, the amount of money that you receive in your paycheck after taxes and deductions.
Net WorthA corporation's net worth is the retained earnings, or the amount left after dividends are paid, plus the money in its capital accounts, minus all of its…
NetworkThe facilities, providers and suppliers your health insurer or plan has contracted with to provide health care services.
Network GearRefers to the actual hardware used in the operation of networks for example routers, switches and hubs.
Neural NetworkNeural networks are made up of interconnected processing elements called units, which respond in parallel to a set of input signals given to each
New IssueWhen a stock or bond is offered for sale for the first time, it's considered a new issue.
New MatterMatter (information) that is not present in the original specification, claims or drawings that an applicant attempts to add to a patent application.
New UseOne of the classes of patentable subject matter under U.S. law.
NIPLECCNational Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council
NISTNational Institute of Standards and Technology - a federal technology agency that works with industry to develop and apply technology measurements and…
No BillThis phrase, endorsed by a grand jury on the written indictment submitted to it for its approval, means that the evidence was found insufficient to indict.
No fault divorceNo fault divorces are divorces (dissolutions) in which neither spouse is required to prove "fault" or marital misconduct on the part of the other.
no-asset caseA chapter 7 case where there are no assets available to satisfy any portion of the creditors' unsecured claims.
No-contestClause Language in a will that provides that a person who makes a legal challenge to the will's validity will be disinherited.
No-fault ProceedingsA civil case in which parties may resolve their dispute without a formal finding of error or fault.
nodeAny device connected to network. PCs, servers, and printers are all nodes on the network.
Noise Control ActA act which gives government agencies the right to promulgate standards and regulations relating to abatement of noise emissions, i.e.