What is the difference between an invention and an idea?

Inventors can protect their creations in Washington through Intellectual Property Law. This law helps to differentiate between an invention and an idea, which are two different things. An invention is a new product or device that is created by someone and has a practical application. To be an invention, it needs to meet three criteria: it must be useful, it must be novel, and it must not be obvious. In order to be protected by Intellectual Property Law, the invention must meet all three criteria and be registered under a patent. An idea, on the other hand, is an abstract thought or opinion. It is simply an concept and may not have practical application. It can be expressed in words, pictures, or diagrams, but it is not an actual product or device created by someone. Since it is not a product or device, an idea cannot be protected by the Intellectual Property Law. Therefore, the main difference between an invention and an idea is that an invention is a product or device created by someone with practical application, and an idea is an abstract thought or opinion that is only expressed in words, pictures, or diagrams. Intellectual Property Law allows inventors to protect their creations in Washington by providing them assurance that their inventions will be protected from unauthorized use or theft.

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What is the difference between an invention and an idea?

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