Why is it important to keep thorough and accurate laboratory notebooks?
The U.S. has a “first to invent” patent system, meaning that if two or more patent applications are filed on the same invention, the patent is awarded to the applicant who can show the earliest date of invention. Proof must be in the form of documentary evidence, and the best form of this evidence is the laboratory notebook. The purpose of the lab notebook is to document how and when inventions occurred and to show what steps were taken and by whom. A lack of documentation can result in the loss of a patent if the date of invention or inventorship is challenged. The UW Center for Commercialization advises researchers to develop good record keeping practices.
The U.S. has a “first to invent” patent system, meaning that if two or more patent applications are filed on the same invention, the patent is awarded to the applicant who can show the earliest date of invention. Proof must be in the form of documentary evidence, and the best form of this evidence is the laboratory notebook. The purpose of the lab notebook is to document how and when inventions occurred and to show what steps were taken and by whom. A lack of documentation can result in the loss of a patent if the date of invention or inventorship is challenged. UW TechTransfer advises researchers to develop good record keeping practices.
