Information
Patents
A patent is a proprietary right in an invention. It provides the
owner with the exclusive right for up to 20 years to make, sell or
use a product or process. In exchange for this monopoly, the patent
is published so others can see how the invention works and build on
that knowledge. The patented invention is also made available to
the public to use once the patent lapses. To be patentable the
subject matter of the application must be novel (i.e. new),
inventive, and must have utility (i.e. be useful).
For more detailed information about patents and the process to
register them click on the headings below, or to learn more
about the expertise of our Patent team click here.