First-Inventor-to-File (FITF)

First-Inventor-to-File (FITF) is a patent system where the rights to a patent are granted to the earliest inventor who files a patent application, regardless of who invented the idea first. This system encourages inventors to promptly file their patent applications to secure protection. It replaces a "first-to-invent" approach, which awarded rights based on who invented first, regardless of filing date. Under FITF, the focus is on the filing date, making timely patent applications crucial for inventors seeking to protect their innovations.