
Glossary of Useful Terms and Abbreviations
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IP space: e patented and unpatented (i.e., claimed and unclaimed) aspects of
a particular technology. e unclaimed aspects are called “green space.” An IP
space is considered densely packed when there are many patents with claims that
cover very similar aspects of the technology—that is, when there is very little
green space.
IP space black hole: An IP space that is so densely packed with patents that the
repulsive force established by the obviousness requirement to keep at least some
of the space open is eliminated. is renders ineective the forbidden regions
where inventions ideally cannot be patented ...