What are patents and why you need to know?

Several new inventors or techies I have worked with during my career as a patent professional, want to understand the field of patents but sometimes find it a bit complicated to understand because of complex legal language and varying global practices. This note is an attempt to help my audience understand patents in simpler terms. It helps anyone who is a patent newbie, understand the basics of patenting.

A patent is basically a legal right that can allow a patent owner to prevent anyone else from making, using, selling, or even importing the patented invention. Thus, a patent is different from a research publication since a patent is an enforceable document, implying, that a patent owner can assert their patent to exclude others from exploiting the patented invention.

If you want to know why you should bother patenting your invention and what do you lose if you don’t, check this detailed article on patents and how they work.

If you have any doubts, queries or comments, please do post it in the comments section and I will get back to you!

Originally published at https://www.patentgrasp.com on July 3, 2020.