prior-art statementAlso known as an information disclosure statement, this is a document filed in the U.S.
priorityThe Bankruptcy Code's statutory ranking of unsecured claims that determines the order in which unsecured claims will be paid if there is not enough money…
priority actiona letter in which an examining attorney sets forth specific requirements that the applicant must meet before an application can be approved for…
priority claimAn unsecured claim that is entitled to be paid ahead of other unsecured claims that are not entitled to priority status.
Priority DateThe filing date of the first patent application disclosing an invention, which filing date has occurred no more than 12 months before the filing date of a…
Priority DocumentA certified copy of a patent application filed no more than 12 months before the filing date of the later-filed application claiming the priority date of…
private lawA private bill enacted into law. Private laws have restricted applicability, often addressing immigration and naturalization issues affecting individuals.
Private NetworkA network that is connected to the Internet but is isolated from the Internet with security measures allowing use of the network only by persons within…
privilegeA benefit or advantage to certain persons beyond the advantages of other persons, i.e., an exemption, immunity, power, etc.
Privilege against self-incriminationAlso know as the right to remain silent, the privilege against self-incrimination is contained in the Fifth Amendment.
Privilege Data SetThe universe of documents identified as responsive and/or relevant, but withheld from production on the grounds of attorney-client privilege or work…
PRMPerformance Reference Model - a standardized framework to measure the performance of major IT investments and their contribution to program performance --…
Pro bono publicoFor the public good. Lawyers representing clients without a fee are said to be working pro bono publico.
pro perA slang expression sometimes used to refer to a pro se litigant. It is a corruption of the Latin phrase "in propria persona."
Pro rataProportionate share; distribution in proportion.
pro seA nonlawyer who represents himself or herself in a court proceeding.
Pro se ApplicantAn applicant for patent (inventor) who is representing himself/herself. MPEP 401, MPEP 707.07(j).
ProbabilityThe chance that an event occurs. It is usually expressed as a percent. Zero percent denotes impossibility, while 100% denotes certainty.
Probable cause1. The basis for all lawful searches, seizures and arrests. 2. A reasonable belief that a crime has or is being committed.
ProbateProbate is the process of authenticating, or verifying, your will so that your executor can carry out the wishes you expressed in the document for…
Probate courtThe court with authority to supervise estate administration.
Probate estateYour probate estate includes all of the assets that will pass to your heirs through your will.
ProbationAn alternative to imprisonment allowing a person found guilty of an offense to stay in the community, usually under conditions and under the supervision…
Probation officerOfficers of the probation office of a court. Probation officer duties include conducting presentence investigations, preparing presentence reports on…
procedureThe rules for the conduct of a lawsuit; there are rules of civil, criminal, evidence, bankruptcy, and appellate procedure.
processA method of making something, a process of operating something or a process of using something. Under U.S. law, one of the statutory classes of inventions.
Process Developmentthe act of defining and describing a process. It may include planning, architecture, design, implementation, and validation.
Processing DataIn the context of this document, synonymous with Image Processing.
ProductA machine, an article of manufacture or a composition of matter. See Machine, Article of Manufacture, Composition of Matter. MPEP 2106.
Product By Process ClaimA patent claim that describes a product invention by descibing the process that is used to make it.
Product liabilityLegal responsibility of manufacturers and sellers to buyers, users, and bystanders for damages or injuries suffered because of defects in goods.
Product of NatureA thing occurring in nature that is substantially unaltered by Man. An essentially pure culture of a microorganism does not occur in nature and is not…
ProductionThe process of delivering to another party, or making available for that partys review, documents deemed responsive to a discovery request.
Production Data SetThe universe of documents identified as responsive to document requests and not withheld on the grounds of attorney-client privilege or work product.
Production NumberOften referred to as the BATES number. A sequential number assigned to every page of a production for tracking and reference purposes.
Professional PracticeA "professional practice" means a law firm, a medical practice, an accounting firm, etc.
Proficiency Testa process to evaluate the competence of an analyst/laboratory by evaluation of the results obtained on test materials.
profitsDirect recovery of the patent infringer's profits is not possible in a case of infringement of a utility patent, but may, under proper circumstances, be…
Prolix ClaimA claim that contains long recitations or unimportant details that render the claim indefinite. MPEP 2173.05(m).
Promissory estoppelA promise which estops or legally prevents the promisee from asserting or taking certain action.
Proof beyond a reasonable doubtThe level or quality of proof needed to convict a criminal defendant at trial. The government has the burden of proof in a criminal case and, in order to…
proof of claimA written statement and verifying documentation filed by a creditor that describes the reason the debtor owes the creditor money.
Proof of ServiceThe person who actually accomplished the service must state under oath, in an affidavit of service, that she/he did the proper tasks to accomplish "good…
Proper seala seal that prevents loss, cross-transfer, or contamination while ensuring that attempted entry into the container is detectable.
propertyFor this survey, property means real estate; that is, land and anything permanently affixed to the land, such as buildings and those things attached to…
property of the estateAll legal or equitable interests of the debtor in property as of the commencement of the case.
Property taxThe amount which the state and/or locality assesses as a tax on a piece of property.
proprietary informationInformation that is not generally known and that has competitive value, e.g., trade secrets and business information not generally known.
ProprietorOwner; person who has legal right or title to anything.
prosecuteTo charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
prosecutionThe process of fact finding and negotiation of patent claim language that occurs during the time that a patent application is pending and under…
Prosecution HistoryThe history of the prosecution of a patent application. See Prosecution.
prosecution history estoppelthe other side of the coin from doctrine of equivalence; in patent infringement lawsuits, it tends to favor the accused infringer.
ProsecutorA lawyer representing the government in a criminal case and the interests of the state in civil matters.
ProtestA communication by a member of the public to a patent office arguing and providing evidence that the granting of a patent would be improper. MPEP 1901.
protocolAn action plan for a clinical trial. The plan states what the study will do, how, and why.
Provisional ApplicationA type of U.S. utility patent application that is used to establish priority of invention. It need not contain a claim and cannot issue as a patent.
provisional patent applicationa provisional application for patent is a U. S. national application for patent filed in the USPTO under 35 U.S.C. § 111(b).
Proximate causeThe last negligent act which contributes to an injury. A person generally is liable only if an injury was proximately caused by his or her action or by…
ProxyIf you own common stock in a US corporation, you have the right to vote on certain company policies and elect the board of directors by casting a proxy…
proxy votingThe practice of allowing a Senator to cast a vote in committee for an absent Senator.
pseudo markA way of locating a word mark that is comprised of an alternative or intentionally corrupted spelling of an English word.
PSIPSPublication Site for Issued and Published Sequences -- also see bio-sequence listings
PST (Personal Folder File)The place where Outlook stores its data (when Outlook is used without Microsoft Exchange Server). A PST file is created when a mail account is set up.
PST file formatFile format used by the Microsoft Outlook personal information management (PIM) program, which includes email, task management and a calendar.
public debtCumulative amounts borrowed by the Treasury Department or the Federal Financing Bank from the public or from another fund or account.
Public DefenderGovernment lawyer who provides free legal defense services to a poor person accused of a crime.
public defendersRepresent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
Public lawThat law such as traffic ordinances or zoning ordinances which applies to the public.
Public NetworkA network that is part of the public Internet.
Public SaleA sale or offer to sell an invention to a member of the public. A sale need not be public to bar a patent under U.S. law. MPEP 2133.03, MPEP 2133.03(b).
Public Service CommissionAlso, Public Utilities Commission. A state agency which regulates utilities.
Public UseUtilization of a completed invention in a nonexperimental manner in public, i.e.
publicationAny document that is available to the public anywhere in the world. MPEP 2128, MPEP 2128.01, MPEP 2128.02.
publication for oppositionIf the examining attorney raises no objections to registration, or if the applicant overcomes all objections, the examining attorney will approve the mark…
publication numbera number assigned to the publication of patent applications filed on or after November 29, 2000.
Published ApplicationA patent application that has been published by a patent office during its prosection (before issue).
PubsPatent Publication, Office of -- see Patent Publication for more
Pulmonary Edemaan abnormal buildup of fluid in the air sacs of the lungs.
Punitive damagesMoney award given to punish the defendant or wrongdoer.
Purchase agreement/purchase offerAlso, sales agreement. Agreement between buyer and seller of property which sets forth the price and terms of a proposed sale.