Patents

A patent is an exclusive right granted to a person who has invented a new and useful article or an improvement of an existing article or a new process for producing an article. It consists of an exclusive right to manufacture the new article invented or manufacture an article according to the invention for a limited period. After completion of the term of a patent anyone is entitled to use the invention.

The concept of the patent and its major components such as novelty, inventive step obviousness and lack of compliance with the description remained the same, as was developed more than 400 years ago.

A patent is an exclusive right for an invention for a limited period, subject to the disclosure of the invention given by an applicant. The patent holder enjoys the exclusive right to prevent a third person from doing an unlawful act, then to avoid using, offering for sale, selling or importing the patented product or process within the country during the term of a patent. A patented invention is free for public use after the expiration of the term of the patent or patent application.

Patent rights are protected in India under the Patents Act, 1970.