Patents

Patents protect technological inventions, such as new machines, products, processes, computer software and so forth. In some countries it is possible to obtain patents for non-technical developments such as business methods. An invention must be new, and in Europe and many other countries must not even be disclosed publicly by the inventor before a patent application is filed. In the United States and some other countries it may be possible to seek protection even if an invention has been disclosed.

An invention must also possess an inventive step, i.e. be more than just an obvious development of what is already known. A patent application normally contains a detailed description of a practical example of the invention, a discussion of the background and a set of carefully drafted legal clauses, called claims, which define the protection granted. Patent applications are subject to rigorous examination, for novelty and inventive step.

Once granted, a patent can last for several years, and in Europe a patent can be renewed annually for up to twenty years. Patent applications may be made in individual countries, or through the European Patent Convention or the Patent Co-operation Treaty which allows for "International " patent applications. An application may be filed in a single country such as the UK initially, and protection sought in respect of other countries up to twelve months later, claiming priority from the original filing date.

For more detailed information on patents, please visit our Library page.