What significant change does the “America Invents Act” implement?

The America Invents Act (AIA) represents a monumental shift in the United States patent system by instituting a first-to-file system. This means that the right to a patent is now granted to the first person who files a patent application for an invention, rather than the first person to invent it. This change aligns the U.S. patent system more closely with many other countries around the world, promoting a more straightforward process of obtaining patent rights and encouraging prompt filing of applications.

This first-to-file system significantly impacts how inventors and companies approach patent strategy. It emphasizes the importance of quick filing to secure patent rights, which can lead to faster innovation timelines and more effective competition. Under the previous first-to-invent system, proving the date of invention could lead to protracted legal disputes, while the first-to-file approach reduces uncertainty and encourages a well-documented filing process.

The other options in the question do not accurately reflect the provisions of the America Invents Act. The AIA does not abolish patent rights, require indefinite maintenance of patents, or permit an unlimited number of claims in a patent application; instead, it focuses on the first-to-file principle, which is the most significant and effective change introduced by this legislation.