5 Things to Know About Patents

1. Patents cover items and processes that have a use in the real world
Patents deal with inventions of products and processes that have a real, defined use in our world. A light bulb would have a patent. So would the wiring of a halogen lamp.

2. Patents protect the inventors of products and processes
The major function of a patent is to prevent individuals from profiting by using your invention in a commercial manner without permission.

3. You do not need a patent to sell your new product
You may bring your new invention to market without a patent, but you are exposing yourself legally to another person who wants to use your product and profit from it without your permission or any financial restitution to you.

4. You can patent an improvement to an existing product
New Use and Improvement patents allow you to patent an invention that improves/enhances the performance of an existing product or service.

5. Patents last for a term of 20 years
A product or process will be protected under the patent for 20 years from the date of application (with some variance for design and pharmaceutical patents). After that time, the patent expires and others may utilize the invention.