Sequence RulesRules promulgated by a patent office that concern the form of disclosures of inventions that contain nucleotide sequence data and/or amino acid sequence…
sequesterTo separate. Sometimes juries are separated from outside influences during their deliberations.
Sequestration of witnessesKeeping all witnesses (except plaintiff and defendant) out of the courtroom except for their time on the stand, and cautioning them not to discuss their…
sergeant at armsThe chief security officer of the Senate, the Sergeant at Arms and staff in the office help to preserve order in the Senate chamber, the Senate galleries…
Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP)A connection to the Internet in which the interface software runs in the local computer, rather than the Internets.
Serial Numbera number assigned to a patent application when it is filed. A serial number is usually used together with a two digit series code to distinguish between…
series codea two digit code representing a period of time. Application Filing Date - examples: 01/01/1979-12/31/1986 Series 06; 01/01/1987-12/31/1992 Series 07…
SerifThe little cross bars or curls at the end of strokes on certain type fonts.
SerologyThe branch of science dealing with the measurement and characterization of antibodies and other immunological substances in body fluids, particularly…
ServerAny computer on a network that contains data or applications shared by users of the network on their client PCs.
service componenta self contained business process or service with predetermined functionality that may be exposed through a business or technology interface -- see SCM…
service markNot every business opportunity must be registered with the Department of Banking under the Connecticut Business Opportunity Investment Act.
service of processThe delivering of writs, summonses, subpoenas or other documents by delivering them to the party named in the document. Also referred to as "service."
Service-Level AgreementA service-level agreement is a contract that defines the technical support or business parameters that a service provider or outsourcing firm will provide…
SessionThe period during which Congress assembles and carries on its regular business.
SettlementAfter negotiating, the amount you agree to accept from the insurance company as full payment for your loss.
Settlement conferenceA settlement conference is a meeting at which the parties and their lawyers attempt to settle the case before trial.
SettlorThe person who sets up a trust. Also referred to as "grantor."
SFa type of form designation such as Form SF51, meaning a Standard Form used throughout the Federal Government
SFFACStatements of Federal Financial Accounting Concepts
SFFASStatements of Federal Financial Accounting Standards
SGML/HyTimeA multimedia extension to SGML, sponsored by DOD.
SHA-1Secure Hash Algorithm, for computing a condensed representation of a message or a data file specified by FIPS PUB 180-1.
ShepardizingMethod for finding subsequent development of a legal theory by tracing status of a case as legal authority.
SheriffThe executive officer of local court in some areas. In other jurisdictions the sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of a county.
Sherman ActThe basic antitrust statute prohibiting any unreasonable interference, conspiracy, restraint of trade, or monopolies with respect to interstate commerce.
Short ServiceThe three methods of service described above each must be completed at least seven days before the first court hearing, but no earlier than fourteen days…
Sibling(SIB-ling) A person's brother or sister who has the same parents.
SidebarA conference between the judge and lawyers or pro se litigant, usually held in the courtroom, but neither the jury nor other people in the courtroom may…
simple resolutionDesignated "S. Res.," simple resolutions are used to express nonbinding positions of the Senate or to deal with the Senate's internal affairs, such as the…
Sine qua nonAn indispensable condition; a requisite.
SIRa published statutory invention registration contains the specification and drawings of a regularly filed nonprovisional application for a patent without…
SIRASearch and Information Resources Administration, an organizational unit of the Patent business area. -- see Patent Resources and Planning for more
skill in the artAn ordinary level of proficiency in a particular technology in which an invention is made.
SlackThe difference in empty bytes of the space that is allocated in clusters minus the actual size of the files.
Slack SpaceA form of residual data, slack space is the amount of on-disk file space from the end of the logical record information to the end of the physical disk…
Slack/Slack SpaceThe unused space on a cluster that exists when the logical file space is less than the physical file space. Also known as file slack.
SlanderSpoken defamation which tends to injure a person's reputation. See libel.
slip lawA few days after a law has been enacted, it is officially published first as a "slip law.
Small Business Administration (SBA)A federal agency authorized to make loans to small businesses, including loans for land purchase and construction.
small business concernfor purposes of small entity determination per MPEP 509.02 - any business concern meeting the size standards set forth in 13 CFR Part 121 to be eligible…
Small Claims CourtA state court that handles civil claims for small amounts of money. People often represent themselves rather than hire an attorney.
Small Claims Court/Conciliation CourtConciliation Court is often called Small Claims Court. Conciliation Court was created to allow citizens to bring their legal claims before the court…
Small Entityfor purposes of small entity determination per MPEP 509.02 - means an independent inventor, a small business concern, or a nonprofit organization eligible…
SMARTStandards, Mentor, Attempt, Review, Transition -- an informal development program used for USPTO's OCIO employees that identifies standards to work…
Smart CardA credit card size device which contains a microprocessor, memory and a battery.
Social SecuritySocial Security is a federal government program designed to provide income for qualifying retired people, their dependents, and disabled people who meet…
Social Security TaxProvides benefits for retired workers and their dependents as well as for the disabled and their dependents.
SoftwareCoded instructions (programs) that make a computer do useful work.
Software ApplicationA program, that instructs a computer to perform a specific set of instructions or execute a process.
Software-As-A-Service or SaaSA system of internet-based software delivery in which the developer of the software provides operational support and maintenance for the software provided…
Sole custodya form of child custody that grants one parent the right to legal and physical custody.
Solventsliquids, usually petroleum based, that can dissolve solids and keep them in solution. May contribute to pollution through evaporation.
Sovereign ImmunityThe doctrine that the government, state or federal, is immune to lawsuit unless it gives consent to the suit through statute.
Spatterdispersion of small blood droplets due to the forceful projection of blood.
Special assessmentA lien assessed against real property by a public authority to pay costs of public improvements (for example, sewers, street lights) that directly benefit…
Special StatusA status granted U.S. patent applications that have certain characteristics upon successful petition to the USPTO.
Specific performanceA remedy requiring a person who has breached a contract to perform specifically what he or she has agreed to do.
specificationa written description of the invention and the manner and process of making and using the same -- see MPEP 608.01 for more
specimena real-world example of how the mark is actually used on goods or in the offer of services.
SpeckleImperfections in an image as a result of scanning paper documents that do not appear on the original. See De-speckling.
Speedy Trial ActFederal law establishing time limits for carrying out major events, i.e. indictment, arraignment, etc., in a criminal prosecution.
Spendthrift trustA trust set up for the benefit of someone whom the grantor believes would be incapable of managing his or her own financial affairs.
SplatterData that should be kept on one disc of a jukebox goes instead to multiple platters.
SpoliationGenerally, the intentional or negligent destruction or alteration of evidence when there is current litigation or an investigation or there is reasonable…
SpoofingSome market analysts maintain that the increased volatility in stock markets may be the result of an illegal practice known as spoofing, or phantom bids.
SQL (Structured Query Language)a standard fourth generation programming language (4GL - a programming language that is closer to natural language and easier to work with than a…
SRMService Reference Model - also known as a Service Component Reference Model -- a business and performance-driven, functional framework that classifies…
SSPShortened Statutory Period -- see MPEP §710.02(b) for more
Standarda statement that describes an acceptable level of performance, excellence, or attainment in that particular activity.
standard character formatAn applicant may submit a standard character format representation of a mark if (1) All letters and words in the mark are depicted in Latin characters…
Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML)An informal industry standard for open systems document management which specifies the data encoding of a documents format and content.
Standard of proofIndicates the degree to which an aspect of a case must be proven. In a civil case, the burden of proof rests with the plaintiff, who must establish his or…
Standard of ReviewThe legal standard an appellate court uses to review a case on appeal, which determines how much deference the appellate court will show to the lower…
StandingThe legal right to bring a lawsuit. Only a person with something at stake has standing to bring a lawsuit.
standing committeePermanent committees established under the standing rules of the Senate and specializing in the consideration of particular subject areas.
standing trusteeA trustee with a permanent appointment to serve in Chapter 12 or 13 cases.
StateState means one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
StatementA summary of all transactions that occurred over the preceding month and could be associated with a deposit account or a credit card account.
statement of financial affairsA series of questions the debtor must answer in writing concerning sources of income, transfers of property, lawsuits by creditors, etc.
statement of intentionA declaration made by a chapter 7 debtor concerning plans for dealing with consumer debts that are secured by property of the estate.
statement of net costcompares fees earned to costs incurred during a specific period of time --locate Financial Statements in the Annual Performance and Accountability Reports
Statement of reasonsThe court's reasons for imposing a particular sentence. The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 requires the court to state its reasons for imposing a…
statement of useSOU - a sworn statement signed by the applicant or a person authorized to sign on behalf of the applicant attesting to use of the mark in commerce.