IPR
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Intellectual property rights |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Law & Legal |
IPR has two meanings. It stands for Intellectual property rights (intellectual property) or Inter partes review (intellectual property).
Meanings of IPR at a glance
| # | IPR stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intellectual property rights | Law & Legal › Intellectual Property |
| 2 | Inter partes review | Law & Legal › Intellectual Property |
1. Intellectual property rights
Law & Legal · Intellectual Property Abbreviations
Collective term for the legal rights granted over intellectual property, such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs and plant varieties, used especially in international trade, development policy and licensing. It frames debates over enforcement, access to medicines and technology transfer.
Example: The trade agreement includes a chapter on IPR enforcement against counterfeit goods.
The plural "IPRs" is common in British and international usage, while US lawyers more often say "IP rights". The WTO's TRIPS Agreement sets minimum IPR standards for member countries. In US patent practice, IPR almost always means inter partes review, so the context decides which is meant.
2. Inter partes review
Law & Legal · Intellectual Property Abbreviations
Trial proceeding at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in which a third party challenges claims of an issued US patent as anticipated or obvious in light of earlier patents and printed publications. It is a faster, cheaper alternative to proving invalidity in court.
Example: Two months after being sued, the defendant filed an IPR petition challenging all 20 asserted claims.
Created by the America Invents Act and available since September 16, 2012. A defendant must petition within one year of being served with an infringement complaint. The Board institutes review only if there is a reasonable likelihood the petitioner will prevail on at least one claim, and must issue a final decision within a year of institution. Oil States v. Greene's Energy (2018) upheld the procedure.
Related abbreviations
More intellectual property abbreviations
- EPO – European Patent Office
- EUIPO – European Union Intellectual Property Office
- FRAND – Fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory
- FTO – Freedom to operate
- IDS – Information disclosure statement
- IP – Intellectual property
- ITU – Intent-to-use application
- MPEP – Manual of Patent Examining Procedure
- NPE – Non-practicing entity
- OA – Office action
- ODP – Obviousness-type double patenting
- PCT – Patent Cooperation Treaty
See all 50 intellectual property abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.