3. What is a "new invention"?

Depending on the country, the criterion of novelty may be relative or absolute. In France and before the EPO, to be considered new, an invention must not be included in the state of the art, i.e. it must be found there as it is and in its entirety.

What is "prior art"? In France and before the EPO, the state of the art consists of everything that has been made available to the public before the filing date of the application, by whatever means. This may be by written or oral description, or by use.