Q: If this product was out before he applied for this patent. Can it still be awarded to him ?
Hoop nets have been around before this guy tried to patent them.
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A:
If the product, like hoop nets, was already publicly available before the individual applied for the patent, it can impact their ability to obtain the patent. Patents are generally awarded for new, non-obvious inventions. If the product existed beforehand, it could be considered prior art, which could prevent the patent from being granted.
When someone applies for a patent, the invention must be both novel and unique. If there is evidence that hoop nets or similar products were already on the market or publicly known, the patent office might reject the application based on this prior existence.
If you're concerned about a potential patent being awarded in this case, it might be helpful to gather any available evidence that the product was in use before the application date. This information could be useful in challenging the patent if it's improperly granted.
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