What is a patent?

A patent is a legal right granted to inventors for their new and useful inventions. This legal protection allows the inventor to exclude others from making, using, selling, or distributing the patented invention without permission for a specified period, typically 20 years from the filing date. The purpose of a patent is to encourage innovation by providing inventors with the assurance that they can benefit commercially from their creations, thus fostering a climate of research and development.

By allowing inventors to protect their unique inventions, patents incentivize the sharing of technological advancements and encourage the exploration of new ideas. In contrast, a distinctive name for a product pertains to branding rather than legal protection for an invention, while a method of artistic expression refers to artistic creativity rather than technical innovation. A trademark involves symbols, names, or slogans used to identify and distinguish goods or services, differing from the rights associated with patents that focus on inventions. Thus, the definition of a patent as a legal right for inventions that are new and useful is accurate and clearly reflects the role of patents in the context of innovation.