Patents provide protection for new inventions. They are legal rights granted by the state. A patent can be granted in almost any field and gives the patent’s owner the right to prevent other people making, using, selling or importing the invention without permission, for around 20 years. In exchange for this protection, the workings of the invention must be fully disclosed to the public. Patents can be sold on, or even licensed, and are therefore potentially valuable assets for individuals and companies.
Obtaining a patent is a complicated and lengthy process. First, a patent application, describing in detail the technical features and subject matter of the invention, must be prepared. The application is then submitted to a national patent office, such as the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). Here, patent examiners carry out prior art searches and determine whether the application meets all the necessary legal requirements. If this is the case, a patent will be granted.
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