What is an invention?

An invention is a new product, process, or solution to a problem—in other words, it is anything that has been created or discovered by a person or group of people. In Virginia, an invention can be patented, given legal protection by Intellectual Property Law. A patent is a form of legal protection that grants an inventor exclusive rights to the invention for a certain period of time. The patent system is used to protect the invention from being copied or used without an inventor’s permission. In order to receive a patent, the invention needs to meet certain criteria. First, it must be a new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter. Second, the invention must also be novel, meaning it must not be identical or substantially similar to any invention that already exists. Lastly, the invention must be “non-obvious,” meaning that it is not something that would be obvious to an ordinary person in the field. An invention can be of great financial value to an inventor, as it can be licensed, sold, or used for other business purposes. By obtaining a patent, inventors are able to protect their inventions from being copied or used without permission. This allows them to benefit financially from their innovation and hard work.

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