Now Google's patent search is giving prior art some love as well with the addition of the aptly named "Prior Art Finder" to its patent search tool.

ENGADGET: Google Patents search gets upgrade, now filled with prior art and European patent goodness

Eventually the patent database becomes rich enough with prior art to reach an equilibrium, but the errors in the interim produce a batch of legacy patents that never should have issued.

FORBES: The Problems With Software Patents (Part 1 of 3)

In essence, with the AIA, Congress has enacted a definition of prior art that will slowly displace the old definitions, but it may take decades for the new legislation to fully displace the old definitions of prior art.

FORBES: A Powerful New Weapon Against Patent Trolls

These NPEs must uncover evidence of infringement, rule out prior art and inequitable conduct, and interact at length with the patent office.

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He had also worked several prior cases with Jeff Novitzky, and says that he introduced Novitzky to the art of dumpster diving.

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