A patent is a government granted monopoly that gives an inventor the exclusive right to make, use or sell their invention for a limited time, in exchange for disclosure of that invention.<\/p>\n
There are three types of patents-design patents, plant patents and utility patents. Utility patents are generally what you think of and will be the focus of the rest of this article.<\/p>\n
There is a statutory definition of what is patentable subject matter:<\/p>\n
35 U.S.C. 101 Inventions patentable. Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefore, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.<\/p>\n
What isn\u2019t patentable subject matter is not statutory, but has defined by the courts, albeit there are no clear definitions for any of these categories:
\n\u2022 abstract ideas
\n\u2022 mental processes
\n\u2022 laws of nature
\n\u2022 algorithms
\n\u2022 physical phenomena<\/p>\n
Other requirements for patentability<\/p>\n
The invention must be useful. People invent things to solve problems, so the useful requirement is usually self-evident; you just need to able to claim some benefit of your invention.<\/p>\n
The invention must also be novel and not obvious to a person who has knowledge in the field. Patent applications include among other things, a detailed description of the invention and the claims which define the invention. Legally the claims are the most important part of the patent application because the interpretation of the claims is what determines whether or not an invention is novel and not obvious.<\/p>\n
It is easier to describe the novelty requirement in terms of what claims are not novel: To not be novel, every claim element or its functional equivalent must be contained in one prior art document cited against the claim. Prior art are documents that disclose subject matter related to your invention and were published before the filing date of your application. These can be other patents, other patent applications, or other types of publications such as journal articles.<\/p>\n
Even if you have something that is completely unique and novel, your invention still might not be patentable because it is considered obvious. The claims defining your invention must not be obvious to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA-basically the average person in the field). Generally, the patent examiner argues that two (or more) patents could be combined by a PHOSITA to come up with your invention. Obviousness can also be shown by the general knowledge in the field, \u201ccommon sense\u201d or predictability of results. Obviousness is the basis of most examiner rejections and is the hardest rejection to overcome because it is a more subjective opinion than novelty.<\/p>\n
Patent Protection<\/p>\n
Patent infringement occurs when, without the owner\u2019s permission, a person or business makes, uses, offers for sale, or sells the invention throughout the U.S. or imports the invention into the U.S. Infringement is found when the questionable device, composition or process contains every element present in one of the claims of a patent.<\/p>\n
What does patent protection really give owners?
\n\u2022 Patents provide owners with the legal basis for instituting an infringement lawsuit.
\n\u2022 It gives owners leverage for obtaining licensing agreements, manufacturing agreements, and distributing agreements. A manufacturer or a distributer will not to want to risk an infringement suit by a third party by making or selling your invention without patent protection.
\n\u2022 It is also hoped that by obtaining a patent that this demonstrates that the owner is not infringing on somebody else\u2019s patent, though other patent owners may disagree.
\n\u2022 Owners can also register with U.S. Customs to prevent importation of infringing goods
\n\u2022 Patent protection also provides the owner the ability to generate revenue by:
\n\uf0a7 being exclusive provider of invention,
\n\uf0a7 giving the owner leverage to license the use of the invention
\n\uf0a7 selling their rights to the invention<\/p>\n
What are some risks of not having a patent?
\n\u2022 Increased competition- a competitor can utilize your invention without compensating you and you will have no legal way to make them!
\n\u2022 You cannot institute a law suit for infringement or get an injunction without a patent
\n\u2022 You have no leverage to force a licensing agreement
\n\u2022 All this leads to a loss of revenue!<\/p>\n
However, before you try to get a patent make sure your invention is marketable.
\n\u2022 Determine if there is a definite need for your invention.
\n\u2022 Can you make\/use\/sell your invention or pay somebody to make and sell the invention?
\n\u2022 Is somebody interested in getting a license to make\/use\/sell your invention?<\/p>\n
Remember having a patent don\u2019t necessarily mean it is a money maker. Many patents have not become successful products and many have not made it to the marketplace. So be cautious and do proper research before applying for a patent on your invention.<\/p>\n
Kathleen Kuznicki is a contributing writer to Exit Promise. Please visit\u00a0www.exitpromise.com<\/a>\u00a0to view more articles by Kathleen.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A patent is a government granted monopoly that gives an inventor the exclusive right to make, use or sell their invention for a limited time, in exchange for disclosure of that invention. There are three types of patents-design patents, plant …