Patent what is

Visit Us Contact Us. A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which is a product or a process that provides, in general, a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem. To get a patent, technical information about the invention must be disclosed to the public in a patent application. In principle, the patent owner has the exclusive right to prevent or stop others from commercially exploiting the patented invention.

In other words, patent protection means that the invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed, imported or sold by others without the patent owner's consent. Patents are territorial rights. In general, the exclusive rights are only applicable in the country or region in which a patent has been filed and granted, in accordance with the law of that country or region.

The protection is granted for a limited period, generally 20 years from the filing date of the application. Patents are not just abstract concepts; they play an invaluable, practical role in everyday life. By rewarding ideas, patents encourage the development of innovations and new technologies in every field.

To what extent are biotechnology processes and products patentable? How do gene patents affect medical care and gene testing research and development? Opinions are divided. Software producers need protection against unauthorized copying in order to recoup their investments, but using patents for this raises questions. While nanotechnology innovations appear generally suitable for patent protection, certain issues require further consideration. The treaties WIPO administers, together with national and regional laws, make up the international legal framework for patents.

The first major international agreement relating to the protection of industrial property rights, including patents. Additionally, the USPTO maintains several other legal assistance resources and programs for independent inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

I want to file myself - learn more about filing Pro Se It is possible, though difficult, for you to conduct your own search: How to Conduct a Preliminary U. Patent Search requires an understanding of Patent Classification systems. Step 3 Inventors Assistance Center. There are three types of patents - Utility, Design, and Plant.

General Information Concerning Patents Utility Patent Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or compositions of matters, or any new useful improvement thereof.

Applying for a Utility Patent Maintaining your Utility Patent Biotechnical Sequence listing Validation and Authoring tools Business Method Patent issues Design Patent Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.

Plant Patent Plant patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant. Step 4 Patent Electronic Business Center.

Inventors Assistance Center. Application Assistance Unit. The staff in the Application Assistance Unit is trained to assist with a broad range of questions and issues pertaining to pre-examination processing of patent Patent Cooperation Treaty.

The PCT makes it possible to seek patent protection for an invention How much is this going to cost? Do you need International protection? Utility and Plant patent applications can be filled using either a provisional or nonprovisional application. A provisional application is a quick and inexpensive way for inventors to establish a U.

Most inventors employ the services of registered patent attorneys or patent agents Additional info on Attorneys and Agents Attorneys and agents with licenses to practice before the USPTO Are you an inventor or small business who has limited resources and needs help applying for a patent on an invention?

I want to file myself Pro Se. Step 5 Patent Electronic Business Center. Contact Patents. Information about Application for Patent Submit your initial application with all the required parts needed for obtaining a filing date and include the correct fee. Very basic tutorial on Filing a New Application online - Some sample documents, what must be submitted to get a filing date, documents that are also often included in a new application, etc.

How to access our online filing and application status systems View the Quick Start Guides and Indexing Guides for basic online filing directions See also resources for filing for a patent online. First time online filers may also contact the Patents Electronic Business Center for assistance.

Resources and Guidance. A collection of policies, procedures, guides, tools and manuals are associated with the patent process. Examination of Applications. Chapter - Examination of Applications.

King C. Gillette patented the razor in and was dubbed a "safety razor. The patent for the television was issued in to Philo Taylor Farnsworth for the "first television system. At age 20, Farnsworth had created the first electric television image and went on to invent an early model of the electronic microscope.

Patents are legal rights issued to inventors to protect their inventions for a certain time, usually 20 years. They exclude others from reproducing, using, or profiting from it without the expressed permission of the patent owner. The granting authority issues a patent in exchange for permission to publish details about the invention, such as how it's made and what it's used for. Trademarks are legal protections on words, phrases, designs, or marks that identify a specific product or service.

Trademarks are intellectual property that contribute to the image and reputation of the product or service to which it belongs, and to the company to which it belongs. Beyond symbolism, a trademark can be incredibly valuable to a company, prompting some companies to include them in their valuation. Trademarks are protected forever, as long as it's in use and the holder can defend it. Examples of trademarks include the golden arch for McDonald's, the Nike swoosh, and Apple's apple.

Copyrights are legal protections on creative works of the mind, or according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office "original works of authorship. Copyrights prevent others from reproducing the work without the expressed permission of the copyright owner. Like other intellectual property, copyrights are granted for a specific time, allowing the holder to benefit from its creation.

Copyrights are granted for the maximum period of 70 years from the death of the author. Exceptions apply to works for hire and anonymous works. Copyrights for works for hire or anonymous works are granted for 95 years from its publication or years from creation, which occurs first.

A patent is a legal right to an invention given to a person or entity without interference from others who wish to replicate, use, or sell it. Patents are granted by governing authorities and have a time limit, usually 20 years. Examples of historic patented inventions include common products that we use daily, including the telephone, dishwasher, and lightbulb.

Ones without expired protection include Boeing's Water Harvesting system, Disney's method for reproducing human actions with robots, and Google's medical response drone. The three types of patents are utility patents, design patents, and plant patents. Utility patents are issued for inventions that are novel and useful. Design patents protect the design or image of a product.

Plant patents are issued to applicants for plants that can reproduce. Patent costs vary according to the type of patent applied for and are based on several other factors, such as the type of applicant, provisional or nonprovisional status, and associated fees—search fees, examination fees, post-allowance fees, and more.

Utility and plant patents last for 20 years from the date of filing, while design patents last for 15 years if filed after May 13, , or 14 years if filed before May 13, Patents are legal rights granted to inventors for their creations. Government divisions, such as the United States Patent and Trademark Office issue patents and other intellectual property rights to U. Patent rights give exclusive rights to use, replicate, or sell the protected invention without interference from others who wish to do the same.

In exchange, the issuing authority is granted the right to publish the details of the invention. Patents are granted for a limited time, such as 20 years from the date of filing for plant and utility patents and 14 or 15 years for design patents.

Patents issued in the United States only offer protection within the U. To extend protection in other nations, the applicant must apply with the governing authority of that nation.

United States Patent and Trademark Office. Legal Definition of patent Entry 2 of 3. Code — see also fee patent at fee sense 1. Legal Definition of patent Entry 3 of 3. Get Word of the Day daily email! Test Your Vocabulary. Test your vocabulary with our question quiz! Love words? Need even more definitions? Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Oct. Silent Letters When each letter can be seen but not heard. Ask the Editors 'Everyday' vs.

What Is 'Semantic Bleaching'? How 'literally' can mean "figuratively". Literally How to use a word that literally drives some pe Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice? The awkward case of 'his or her'.