On-site ExtractionThe extraction of high volumes of data from backup tapes at a client site (no risk of loss of original evidence).
One-Year Grace PeriodThe one-year period that starts on the date that an invention is used publicly, offered for sale, patented or published anywhere in the world during which…
OnlineWhen computers and other devices are connected to the network.
Onsite Extractionthe extraction of high volumes of data from backup tapes at a client site (no risk of loss of original evidence) â RenewData patent-pending…
Open for Public InspectionThe date upon which a patent application is first made available to the public.
Open Proficiency Testan exam process/instrument where the analyst is aware that the sample is a proficiency test.
Opening StatementThe initial statement made by attorneys or pro se litigant for each side, outlining the facts each intends to establish during the trial.
operating systemSoftware which directs the overall activity of a computer (e.g. MS-DOS , Windows , Linux , etcetera).
Operating System (OS)(OS)The software that the rest of the software depends on to make the computer functional. On most PCs this is Windows or the Macintosh OS.
OperationalA project is considered operational once the system is is fully functional or all civilians are hired and officers are realizing the maximum time savings…
Operations Manuala document stating procedures and protocols dealing with the day-to-day issues of ADFS business that does not deal directly with evidence or work product.
OpinionA judges written explanation of a decision of the court or of a majority of judges.
Opinion, PatentabilityAn opinion offered by a patent agent or a patent attorney as to whether a claimed invention is likely to be deemed patentable by a patent office in view…
Opinion, ValidityAn opinion offered by a patent agent or a patent attorney as to whether the claims of an issued patent would likely be upheld by a court in view of the…
OPMOffice of Personnel Management - an agency of the U. S. Government
OppositionA procedure available in most countries (but not the U.S.) whereby a third party may request that a patent not issue or that an issued patent be…
opposition proceedinga proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in which the plaintiff seeks to prevent the issuance of a registration of a mark.
OPRFormerly, Office of Public Records; now known as Public Records Division (PRD)
Optical Character Recognition(OCR) Optical character recognition is a technology which takes data from a paper document and turns it editable text data. The document is first scanned.
Optical DiscsComputer media similar to a compact disc that cannot be rewritten. An optical drive uses a laser to read the stored data.
oral argumentPresentation of an aspect of a case before a court by spoken argument; for example, at a motion calendar.
Orden de allanamiento, Orden de registroOrden emitida por un tribunal al establecer motivo fundado para registrar un lugar específico en busca de un artículo o artículos particulares.
Orden de desalojo o deshaucioOrden emitida cuando una sentencia ordena la transferencia de propiedad de una parte a otra.
Orden de sellar o cerrarUna orden judicial que manda a cerrar un archivo de modo que quede fuera del acceso del público.
Orden judicialDecreto judicial mediante el que se ordena realizar una cierta acción.
Orden judicial que determinala incapacidad de un persona de pagar gastos legales Una orden judicial que determina que una persona no puede pagar los costos, honorarios y gastos…
OrderA written decision by the court (referee/judge) that something be done or not done This can range from an order that a case will be tried on a certain…
OrdinanceA rule established by authority; may be a municipal statute of a city council, regulating such matters as zoning, building, safety, matters of…
ordinary skill in the artThe level of technical knowledge, experience, and expertise possessed by the run-of-the-mill or ordinary engineer, scientist, or designer in the…
Organizational CustodianBusiness units, committees and other groups may create, modify and propagate ESI without clear individual ownership.
Organizational System Generated CustodianESI generated from an enterprise application such as financial systems, dynamic monitoring systems and more may not have a clear Custodian.
Original Application"Original" is used in the patent statute and rules to refer to an application which is not a reissue application.
original billA bill which is drafted by a committee. It is introduced by the committee or subcommittee chairman after the committee votes to report it, and it is…
original filing basisthe basis set forth in the application as initially filed -- see filing basis
Originating Agency Identifier (ORI) Number(ORI)This number is assigned by the FBI and is your agency's identifier. The first two letters are your state abbreviation, the next three numbers are your…
OSTA Microsoft Outlook information store that is used to save folder information that can be accessed offline.
OST file formatFile format used by the Microsoft Outlook as an offline folder file to make it possible for the user to work offline and then to synchronize changes with…
OutlaysOutlays are payments made (generally through the issuance of checks or disbursement of cash) to liquidate obligations.
OutlookUbiquitous Microsoft personal information management (PIM) program, which includes email, task management and a calendar.
Outlook ExpressMicrosoft email client that has been included with a number of versions of Microsoft Windows through Windows XP.
override of a vetoThe process by which each chamber of Congress votes on a bill vetoed by the President.
OverruleA judge's decision not to allow an objection. Also, a decision by a higher court finding that a lower court decision was in error.
oversightCommittee review of the activities of a Federal agency or program.
OverwriteTo record or copy new data over existing data, as in when a file or directory is updated. Data that is overwritten cannot be retrieved.
PABA Microsoft Outlook list of recipients created and maintained by an individual user for personal use.
PACPatent Assistance Center (prior), now the Inventors Assistance Center or IAC, call (toll-free) 1-800-786-9199 or 703-308-4357
PackBitsA compression scheme which originated with the Macintosh. Suitable only for black & white.
PacketA unit of data sent across a network which may contain identify and routing information.
Pacto, estipulaciónUn acuerdo entre adversarios respecto de ciertos aspectos de un proceso o juicio. Las partes deben acordar al pacto por escrito.
PAGEA single image of the equivalent of one piece of paper. One or several pages make up a Document.
Page File/Paging FileA file used to temporarily store code and data for programs that are currently running.
PAIRPatent Application Information Retrieval -- see Patent EBC for more provides secure access for customers who want to view current patent application…
PALMPatent Application Locating and Monitoring system - an internal USPTO system that is the source of status information displayed in PAIR
panelA portion of a flat surface recessed, or raised from the surrounding area, distinctly set off by molding or some other decorative device.
Panel attorneyAn attorney in private practice who has been found qualified and eligible to represent indigent defendants under the Criminal Justice Act (CJA).
PaperShort-term, unsecured debt securities that a corporation issues are often referred to as paper - for short-term commercial paper.
Paper DiscoveryPaper discovery refers to the discovery of writings on paper that can be read without the aid of some devices.
PARPerformance and Accountability Report -- see Annual Reports for more
Paralegal1. A person with legal skills who works under the supervision of a lawyer. 2. A legal assistant.
ParallelTransmission of all the bits (e.g. in a character) at the same time. If the character has eight bits, there are eight wires.
PardonAn act of grace from governing power which mitigates punishment and restores rights and privileges forfeited on account of the offense.
Parens patriaePower of guardianship over persons under disability. The doctrine under which the court protects the interests of a juvenile.
Parent ApplicationThe term "parent" is applied to an earlier application of the inventor disclosing a given invention --see MPEP 201.04 for more
Parent-child RelationshipsParent-child relationships is a term used in e-discovery to describe a chain of documents that stems from a single e-mail or storage folder.
parliamentarianThe Parliamentarian is the Senate's advisor on the interpretation of its rules and procedures.
parliamentary inquiryA question from the floor to the Presiding Officer by a Senator requesting a clarification of the procedural situation on the floor.
Parol evidenceOral or verbal evidence; evidence given by word of mouth in court.
ParoleSupervised release of a prisoner from imprisonment on certain prescribed conditions which entitle him to relief from a prison sentence.
partiesPlaintiffs and defendants (petitioners and respondents) to lawsuits, also known as appellants and appellees in appeals, and their lawyers.
PartitionA partition is an individual section of computer storage media such as a hard drive.
Partition GapOne physical hard disk drive can be partitioned to contain one or more logical drives when computer users utilize programs such as FDisk or Partition…
Partition TableThe partition table indicates each logical volume contained on a disc and its location.
Partition Waste SpaceAfter the boot sector of each volume or partition is written to a track, it is customary for the system to skip the rest of that track and begin the…
PartyA person, business, or government agency actively involved in the prosecution or defense of a legal proceeding.
party in interestA party who has standing to be heard by the court in a matter to be decided in the bankruptcy case. The debtor, the U.S.
PASATPatent Application Specification Authoring Tool -- no longer used as of 22 August 2004
PasswordA secret code utilized, usually along with a user ID, in order to log on or gain access to a PC, network or other secure system, site or application.
patentA grant to an inventor of the right to exclude others, for a limited time, from making, using, or selling his invention in the United States.
Patent AgentA person who is not an attorney who can legally represent an inventor or applicant in dealing with a patent office. MPEP 401.
Patent and Trademark Depository Librarya library designated by the USPTO to receive copies of patents, CD-ROMs containing registered and pending marks, and patent and trademark materials that…