Legal

Terms of Service

Effective October 12, 2026

This page summarizes the terms that apply when you use software from Novelus LLC, doing business as Novelus IP (“Novelus IP,” “we,” “us”). This website does not give access to our software. Access is provided under an agreement you accept when your account is set up, and that agreement controls if it differs from this summary.

Our software falls into two categories with different terms: practitioner tools (Novi, Annota, VeraPat, and Statuo) and Patent Law Prep, our study program for the USPTO registration exam.

Practitioner tools: Novi, Annota, VeraPat, and Statuo

Who may use them

The practitioner tools are for use only by patent attorneys and agents registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and by individuals working under the supervision of a registered practitioner who remains responsible for the work. They are not for use by inventors or applicants representing themselves.

You make the decisions

Everything our software produces, including claims, specification text, drawings, analysis, and citations, is a draft for your independent review. You decide what is submitted to the USPTO or provided to a client or applicant, and you remain responsible for it. Signing or submitting a document carries the certifications the USPTO’s rules require, however the document was prepared.

AI and automated tools are not perfect

Output from artificial intelligence and other automated tools can be inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date. This includes citations to patents, publications, the MPEP, and an application’s own specification, drawings, and file history. Check every output against its source before you rely on it. We do not guarantee patentability, validity, freedom to operate, allowance, or any other outcome.

USPTO rules and guidance

You agree to follow the USPTO rules and guidance that apply to your use of AI-based tools, as in effect at the time of use. As of the effective date of these terms, these include:

• Guidance on Use of Artificial Intelligence-Based Tools in Practice Before the USPTO
• Revised Inventorship Guidance for AI-Assisted Inventions

The USPTO keeps an index of its current materials on its AI-related resources page.

Your data and where it is processed

You choose how your work is processed: on your own computer with a local model, so your documents stay on your machine, or in the cloud on Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud under enterprise terms. We do not use your documents or outputs to train AI models. You are responsible for making sure your choice suits your confidentiality obligations, including any that apply to unpublished applications.

Patent Law Prep

Patent Law Prep is a study program for people who are eligible to sit for the USPTO registration examination, or who are preparing to become eligible. It is a study aid only.

• It is not legal advice and should not be used for real matters.
• We do not guarantee that you will pass the examination.
• Study content may not reflect the most recent changes to the MPEP or USPTO rules. Rely on official USPTO sources.
• Patent Law Prep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.

Terms that apply to all of our software

No legal services

Novelus IP provides software. We do not provide legal services or legal advice, and using our software does not create an attorney-client or practitioner-client relationship with us.

Acceptable use

Use the software only for lawful purposes and in line with your professional obligations. Do not share your account, try to access data that is not yours, or interfere with the software’s operation.

Disclaimer of warranties

The software is provided “as is” and “as available,” without warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of accuracy, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement, to the fullest extent the law allows.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent the law allows, Novelus IP is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for lost profits, data, or business, arising from use of the software. Our total liability is limited as set out in your agreement with us.

Changes to these terms

We may update these terms. We will post the new version here and update the effective date above, and we will ask account holders to accept material changes.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.

Contact

Questions about these terms can be sent through our contact form. See also our Privacy Policy.