Patent means a new invention in form of a device/article or process of production. It should be invented and a novel one. Such patents are protected under the Patents Act, 1970.

“A Patent is an intellectual-property relating to invention and is the grant of exclusive right, for a limited period, provided by the Government to the patentee, in exchange of full disclosure of his invention, for excluding others, from making, using, selling, importing the patented product or process producing that product for those purposes”.

The purpose of this system is to encourage inventions by promoting their protection and utilization so as to contribute to the development of industries, which in turn, contributes to the promotion of technological innovation and to the transfer and dissemination of technology. Under the system, Patent ensures property rights (legal title) for the invention for which patent has been granted, which may be extremely valuable to an individual or a Company. One should make the fullest possible use of the Patent System and the benefits it provides. Patent right is territorial in nature and a patent obtained in one country is not enforceable in other countries. The inventors / their assignees are required to file separate patent applications in different countries for obtaining the patent in those countries.

In simpler terms, a patent is an intellectual property that one claims as their own and can use it for their own purpose. If anyone wishes to use someone’s patent then they need to pay one royalty or one can even sell their patent.