A patent is a legal document that grants the holder exclusive rights to make, use, and sell an invention or discovery for a limited period of time, usually 20 years from the date of filing. The purpose of a patent is to protect and reward inventors for their original creations and to encourage innovation by providing a temporary monopoly on the use and exploitation of the invention.
In order to be eligible for a patent, an invention must be new, useful, and non-obvious. The patent application process requires the inventor to provide a detailed written description of the invention, along with any necessary drawings or diagrams. The application is reviewed by a patent examiner, who evaluates the invention to determine whether it meets the criteria for patentability.
If the patent is granted, the inventor is given the exclusive right to use, make, and sell the invention for the duration of the patent term. During this time, others are prohibited from using or making the invention without the inventor’s permission. Once the patent term has expired, the invention enters the public domain and can be used and exploited by anyone.
Patent rights are enforceable through legal action, and holders of patents can sue infringers for damages or seek injunctions to prevent further infringement. However, it is the responsibility of the patent holder to monitor and enforce their own patent rights.