What are some common patent terms?

Patent law is a set of rules that govern how inventions and new technologies are created and protected. In South Carolina, patent law is governed by both federal and state laws. Understanding common patent terms is important if you are seeking to protect a new invention. One common patent term is “patentable invention.” This term refers to any novel, useful, and non-obvious invention. It must also be understood by someone skilled in the related technology and must be able to be made or used in industry. Another common patent term is “patentability search.” This is a process of researching existing patents, published patent applications, and other sources to determine whether an invention is patentable or if a similar invention has already been patented. Yet another term is “patent application.” This is a document filed with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) that describes, in detail, the patentable invention and the inventor’s legal rights to the invention. The patent application is used to obtain a patent. “Infringement” is another term related to patent law. This refers to the unauthorized use of an invention protected by a patent. Such infringement can result in civil lawsuits and possibly criminal penalties. Finally, “expiration date” is a common term relating to patent law. This is the date that a patent expires. A patent will expire 20 years from the date the patent was filed. After the expiration date, the invention is no longer protected by the patent and the public is allowed to use, make, or sell the invention without permission.

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