Patents: Protecting Your Inventions
If you've invented a new product or a novel way of doing something, a patent might be the right form of protection for you. Patents are designed to protect inventions and technical solutions.
What a Patent Protects
A patent grants exclusive rights to an inventor, preventing others from making, using, or selling their invention for a limited time, usually 20 years. To be patentable, an invention must be new, useful, and non-obvious.
Key things to know about patents
- Examples: This includes everything from the design of a new smartphone to a new pharmaceutical drug.
- The Filing Process: Obtaining a patent requires a formal application process with a detailed description of the invention.
- Who Should Consider This: Patents are especially important for tech-driven businesses and startups with new products or processes.