Patent

Patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention which is a product or a process that provides a new way of doing something, or offers a new technical solution to a problem. The patent protects the rights of the owner of the invention generally for a period of twenty years. An invention which is patented cannot be commercially made, used, distributed or sold without the patent owner's consent. During the period of protection, the patent owner, at his own discretion, sell his right to the invention, or give permission to another person to use the rights on mutually agreed terms. On expiry of the patent, the invention becomes available to others for commercial exploitation.