"First to file" only describes what happens when two conflicting patent applications get discovered for something that is patentable.
Inventions that are already publicly known are not patentable because they're copies of existing ideas; not inventions.
The only exception is that in some jurisdictions, the creator of an invention can wait up to a year between making their own invention public and filing a patent for it.
Inventions that are already publicly known are not patentable because they're copies of existing ideas; not inventions.
The only exception is that in some jurisdictions, the creator of an invention can wait up to a year between making their own invention public and filing a patent for it.