### Question
What does professional affiliation mean?


### Answer
**Professional affiliation** has the following meaning in *35 U.S.C. § 287*:

> staff privileges, medical staff membership, employment or contractual relationship, partnership or ownership interest, academic appointment, or other affiliation under which a medical practitioner provides the medical activity on behalf of, or in association with, the health care entity.

#### Citation:
  - *35 U.S.C. § 287*
  - Heading: **PART III-PATENTS AND PROTECTION OF PATENT RIGHTS > CHAPTER 29-REMEDIES FOR INFRINGEMENT OF PATENT, AND OTHER ACTIONS**

