What are the requirements for patent protection of technologies?

In Washington, patent protection for technologies is secured through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). To be eligible for a patent, the technology must meet some specific requirements. First, the technology must be novel. This means that it must be new, not previously known or used by others. The invention should also be useful and should have some functional purpose within the industry. Second, the technology must be non-obvious. This means that someone knowledgeable in the technology field should not be able to easily see how or why the invention works. Third, the technology must be fully described. This means that someone skilled in the technology field should be able to recreate it by following the instructions of the patent application. In Washington, patent protection typically lasts for 20 years after the date of filing. During that period, the patent holder has exclusive rights to the technology and can prevent anyone else from using it without permission. After the patent expires, the technology enters the public domain and anyone may use it. Patents are not the only form of protection for technologies. Other forms of protection, such as copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, may be used to protect certain aspects of the technology. It is important to be aware of all possible forms of protection for your technology in Washington.

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What are the requirements for patent protection of technologies?

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