What is the difference between an invention and a discovery?

An invention and a discovery both involve finding or creating something new or different, but they are different in a couple important ways. An invention is a product that someone has created, such as a new type of machine, device, product, process, or combination of material elements. Typically, an invention requires a certain level of thought, experimentation, and creativity to come up with. Additionally, there are certain laws that protect inventions and how they can be used and marketed. In contrast, a discovery is a new or previously unknown fact or phenomena that has been uncovered. This often comes from a scientific experiment or study, rather than the creative process of an invention. Discoveries usually do not have any sort of laws to protect them, as the information or knowledge discovered is usually seen as belonging to everyone. Examples of discoveries include finding a new type of bacteria or uncovering a historic document. In Washington, both discoveries and inventions are protected differently under intellectual property law. Inventions are subject to patent protection, while discoveries are not. This means that inventors can protect their creations from being sold or marketed by someone else without permission, while discoveries cannot.

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