Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks
This section compiles brief summaries about patents, copyrights, and trademarks. For more detailed information, refer to the Inventor's Guide to Technology Transfer / FAQ section.
What is a Patent?
- A monopoly granted by the government allowing you to exclude others from “making, using, selling, or importing” your invention for 20 years.
- Patents are limited by territory (a
- Every country has its own patent laws, and pattern of patent enforcement
- Patent law came about because the Government wanted to encourage dissemination of information, and did so by granting limited-term monopolies to inventors in exchange for the sharing of information
- Patent law is part of the U.S. Constitution
A person's right to the protection of his or her intellectual property is provided by the United States Constitution:
The Congress shall have power . . .
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.
Types of Patents
- Utility Patent
- Machine - robot, motor, circuit
- Process - method of manufacturing
- Article of manufacture - frying pan, hair comb
- Composition of matter - chemical compound
- Design Patent - ornamental design, appearance
- Plant Patent -new and distinct variety of plant
What is patentable?
- Novel (that is, no one, even yourself, has published it before)
- Non-obvious (that is, to someone skilled in your field)
- Useful (you must have a use for your invention)
The Patenting Process
It can take many years to get a patent granted from the patent office. Here is a brief description of the process in the
- Patent Application Prepared & Filed (
- Patent Pending (No legal protection)
- Patent Office Responds (“Office Action”)
- Reply to Patent Office
- Repeat
- Patent Application published (after 18 months)
- Patent Allowed
- Patent Issued (Legal protection begins)
- Patent Printed
Who is an inventor?
Inventorship is decided according to patent law. To be an inventor, one must make a novel, useful, and non-obvious contribution to at least one claim of the patent. Sharing materials or testing an invention is not sufficient to make someone an inventor.
Correct inventorship is important. Incorrect inventorship can lead to invalidation of a patent. The OTL can help you figure out who is, and who is not, an inventor.
What is "Public Disclosure"?
A public disclosure is a disclosure of enough of an invention, that someone knowledgeable in the field, can recreate the whole invention. This is called an “enabling” invention. Disclosure can include a journal publication, a web publication, it may include abstracts and posters and public talks. Federal grants are not considered public disclosure until they are funding, at which point the may become publicly available. Be aware of early web publication of journal articles and conference abstracts.
How does publication affect patent rights?
In most of the world, all patent rights will be lost if an invention is published before a patent application is filed. In the
What is a "Confidentiality" or "Non-Disclosure Agreement" and why is it necessary?
A Confidentiality or Non-Disclosure Agreement is an agreement in which two parties agree to keep certain information “confidential” and not to disclose it to third parties. If you wish to speak to a company about your invention prior to filing a patent, we recommend doing so under a Confidentiality or Non-Disclosure Agreement in order to preserve our right to file a patent. The OTL can provide sample agreements, or negotiate the agreements with companies.
How much does it cost to get a patent?
- To file a
- Approximately $10,000
- To prosecute to issuance in the
- Approximately $20,000
- To file a foreign (PCT) application:
- Approximately $5,000
- For life of foreign patents (in Europe,
- Approximately $200,000
What is a Copyright?
- Protects original works, fixed in a tangible medium
(such as written words, computer code, mask works, design schematics, architectural drawings, musical works, and choreography). - Gives the exclusive right to: reproduce, create derivatives, distribute, perform, display.
- Protects expression of ideas, not ideas themselves.
- Lasts for 100 years from creation or 75 years from publication.
- Protection is automatic, but must register to sue infringers.
What is a Trademark?
- Symbol, design, word, slogan, combination of words and pictures used to identify products and distinguish them from those of competitors
- e.g., Coca-cola slogan is words, design and colors
- Must actively protect it
- Trademark must be different than generic product
- e.g., Rollerblades vs. in-line skates