先願主義
Meanings
1
first-to-file principle; first-to-file system
Patent law term: the system where the first person to file a patent application gets the rights, regardless of who invented it first. Contrasts with 先発明主義 (first-to-invent).
See also: 先発明主義
Japan adopts the first-to-file system.
Under the first-to-file principle, it is important to file an application early.