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What
exactly is a patent? A patent is a legal right given by the
government to an individual or company. It gives exclusive rights, for a period of
eighteen years, to the patent holder on the
invention identified in the patent application. After the patent has expired, anyone is
free to manufacture and sell what was previously
protected. Anyone
can apply for and receive a patent, as long as you
can prove that you are the real inventor or
officially representing him or her. You also do not have to be a U.S. citizen.
There is no requirement that the patent remain
with the originating inventor. Patent rights can be sold or licensed to
other people or companies
A
patent can be granted on almost anything, as long
as it is unobvious and novel. Patents are not
unique to the United States, as many countries
around the world have their own patent offices.
Your U.S. patent protects you from infringement in
the U.S. and its holdings.
It is possible to sue someone who infringes
on an issued patent. For protection in other countries, you must
file for foreign patents in each country. The procedure for obtaining a foreign
patent differs from country to country.
The Personal Patent Innovative System
applies only to obtaining a US patent. |
