What is 'novelty'?

What is 'novelty'?

Matt Dixon (Partner) gives expert video advice on: What is an 'invention'?; Can I tell anyone about my invention?; If I invent something do I have to patent it before I make or sell it? and more...

Well, novelty is the test you have to meet to show your invention is completely new and it has never been heard of anywhere in the world ever before. So, that is the reason why we have to keep your invention secret before you fill your patent application, and the patent office would search usually in other patent documents in order to be able to tell you whether they can find something similar, or the same, that is already known.