What is patent law?
Patent law is a form of intellectual property law. It protects inventions by granting exclusive rights to the inventor. In Utah, patent law is governed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In order to obtain a patent, an invention must be new, useful and non-obvious. A patent provides the inventor with a 20 year monopoly on the invention. This means that the inventor has the exclusive right to make, use and sell the invention. Others are not allowed to make, use or sell the invention without the inventor’s permission. During the 20 year period, the inventor can also sue anyone who infringes upon their patent rights. Patent law is important for protecting inventors and their innovations. It provides incentives for inventors to create new products or improve existing products. Without it, inventors would not reap the rewards of their own hard work.
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