Patents

Patents are a form of intellectual property that provide inventors with exclusive rights to their inventions for a specified period, typically 20 years from the filing date. This legal protection allows inventors to control how their inventions are used, manufactured, and sold, preventing others from making, using, or selling the invention without permission. To qualify for a patent, an invention must be novel, non-obvious, and useful. Patents are crucial for encouraging innovation by providing inventors with a temporary monopoly on their creations, enabling them to potentially recoup research and development investments. The patent application process involves submitting detailed descriptions and claims of the invention to a patent office, where it undergoes examination to ensure it meets all legal requirements. Patents can cover a wide range of inventions, from new technologies and processes to chemical compounds and medical devices. Once granted, a patent can be a valuable asset for businesses, offering opportunities for licensing, selling, or using the patent to secure funding and strategic partnerships.