The first to file policy is a patent law doctrine used by most of the world, with the notable exception of the United States. The Philippines recently changed its patent system from a first to invent to a first to file system.
How it works
Based on this policy, even if inventor Alice invented the same things as Bob, if Bob's patent application reached, and was approved by, the patent office earlier, Bob shall be awarded a patent.
 | This law-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |