Patents

A patent is a set of exclusive rights to produce a particular product granted by a sovereign state to an inventor. A patent represents the right to prohibit others from using, producing or distribute your invention.

The numbers of patent applications are constantly increasing, and the market is becoming more global. Therefore it is important to protect your invention from infringement.

Since an invention is something unique, the patent must not infringe on any existing patents in order to be approved upon application.

Applications for patents can be costly and take a considerable amount of time.

In most cases a patent is valid for 20 years. Once this period of time runs out, the exclusive rights to your patent cease to exist. This means that after 20 years, anyone may use your invention without permission.

A patent must be maintained in order to remain valid. This means, that a renewal (maintenance) fee must be paid yearly, starting from the third year from the application. Failure to renew your patent on time will result in loss of your legal rights to your patent.