Interference No. 104,403
concealment.
The true policy and ends of the patent laws is to promote the
prompt progress of science and the useful arts. This is achieved by
prompt disclosure of invention. In fact, early disclosure is the linchpin
of the patent system. Horwath v. Lee, 564 F.2d 948, 950, 195 USPQ
701, 703-04 (CCPA 1977); Griffin v. Kanamaru, 816 F.2d at 626, 2
USPQ2d at 1362 (Fed. Cir. 1987). The doctrine of suppression and
concealment is in the nature of the equity that favors him who gives the
public the benefit of the knowledge of his invention, who expends his
time, labor, and money in discovering, perfecting, and patenting, in
good faith, that which he and all others have been led to believe has
never been discovered, by reason of the indifference, supineness, or
willful act of one who may, in fact, have discovered it long before. See
Woofter v. Carlson, 367 F.2d 436, 446, 151 USPQ 407, 415 (CCPA
1967). A holding that a party suppressed or concealed the invention
does not require proof that the inventor was spurred into filling by the
actions of another. However, spurring is an important equitable factor
and evidence of spurring is relevant evidence supporting a holding of
suppression or concealment. Accord. Paulik v. Rizkalla, 760 F.2d at
1275, 226 USPQ at 227.
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