America Invents Act (AIA)

The America Invents Act (AIA), enacted in 2011, is a significant update to U.S. patent law. It shifted the U.S. from a “first-to-invent” system to a “first-to-file” system, meaning that the rights to a patent now go to the first person to file a patent application, rather than the first to invent. The AIA also introduced new procedures for challenging patents post-grant, aimed at reducing litigation and improving patent quality. Overall, it modernized patent laws to better align with global practices and encourage innovation.