Public disclosure

The most expensive thing many inventors ever do is show their invention to a room full of interested people, one month before filing.

In simple words

Making the invention available to the public in any way, without an obligation of confidence - a talk, a paper, a demonstration, a sale, a social post, a crowdfunding page or a product launch.

Think of it as

Once it is out, it is prior art - including against you.

Why it matters

India has no general grace period. Section 31 gives a twelve-month window only in narrow situations: display or use at an industrial or other exhibition to which the Central Government has extended section 31 by notification, publication resulting from that display, and a paper read by the true and first inventor before a learned society or published in that society's transactions. Since 2024 that period is claimed on Form 31 under rule 29A.

A simple example

A demonstration at an ordinary trade fair that has not been notified under section 31 is simply a public disclosure. So is a conference poster, unless the very specific learned-society limb applies.

Common mistake

Relying on “I only showed it to a few people”. If they were under no obligation of confidence, the number does not help.

Where it comes from

Patents Act 1970 - sections 29 to 32, in particular section 31; Patents Rules 2003, rule 29A and Form 31