What is patent law?
Patent law gives inventors a set of exclusive rights for their inventions. This means that the inventor has the right to determine who can make, use and sell their invention for a set period of time. In Michigan, as in all states, these rights are granted by the federal government. In order for a patent to be granted, the invention must meet certain criteria. It must be novel, such that it isn’t substantially similar to any other existing invention. Additionally, it must have some utility. That is, it must actually serve a useful purpose. The invention must also be non-obvious. This means that it must not be a combination of existing inventions or something a “person of ordinary skill” would find to be easily discoverable. When the criteria for obtaining the patent are met, the inventor will be granted a set of exclusive rights that last for a limited amount of time. In the United States, the term for a patent is twenty years. During this period, the inventor has the right to determine how their invention is used, where it is sold, and who can make and use it. This means that another person or company cannot make, use, or sell the same invention without permission from the inventor. Patent law is an important part of intellectual property law because it provides inventors with recognition and protection for their unique and innovative ideas. It also encourages inventors to continue innovate and create new ideas without fear of someone else profiting from their hard work.
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