noun
first-to-invent principle; first-to-invent system
A patent law principle where the patent is granted to the person who can prove they were the first to invent, regardless of filing date. Contrasted with 先願主義 (first-to-file).
See also: 先願主義
アメリカは長年、先発明主義を採用していた。
The United States long adhered to the first-to-invent system.
先願主義 is the first-to-file principle, where the patent is granted to the first person to file an application, regardless of who invented first. 先発明主義 is the opposite, focusing on the date of invention.
Compound of 先 (first), 発明 (invention), and 主義 (principle). A direct translation of the English legal term 'first-to-invent principle'.