The AIA changed the ownership of patent rights from "the first to invent," to the "first to file," effective as of March 16, 2013. Big companies that invent nothing can obtain patents rights superior to the inventor by merely filing first with the Patent & Trademark Office. The AIA rewards filing for patents with priority over being the first to invent. | The AIA changed the ownership of patent rights from "the first to invent," to the "first to file," effective as of March 16, 2013. Big companies that invent nothing can obtain patents rights superior to the inventor by merely filing first with the Patent & Trademark Office. The AIA rewards filing for patents with priority over being the first to invent. |