Definition
A person of ordinary skill in the art (POSITA) is a legal hypothetical representing someone with average knowledge in the relevant technical field, used as a yardstick for obviousness and enablement.
Why It Matters Legally
Defining the skill level of this hypothetical person can determine whether an invention is obvious or whether a disclosure is enabling. Both sides often fight over how skilled this person should be.
Example Use Case
Experts dispute whether the relevant skilled person holds a PhD or just a bachelor’s degree, because the answer affects whether the invention was obvious.
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Related Terms
Non-Obviousness, Obviousness Rejection, Enablement, Prior Art, Patentability