Patent Registration in India

Patent Registration in India

A patent is a set of exclusive rights granted by the Authority to the applicant of an invention for a period of 20 years under the Patent Act in India. This legal document provides the inventor with the exclusive right to make, use, and sell the invention, ensuring that others cannot commercially exploit the patented invention without permission. To qualify for a patent, an invention must meet three essential criteria. Firstly, it must be novel, meaning it did not previously exist in any form. This requirement ensures that the invention represents a new contribution to the existing body of knowledge. Secondly, the invention must be non-obvious, indicating that it is a significant improvement over existing technology rather than a mere simple change to a known device. This criterion ensures that the invention involves an inventive step and is not something that would be obvious to someone skilled in the relevant field. Finally, the proposed invention must be useful, which legal experts interpret to mean that the invention cannot be intended for an illegal or immoral purpose. This ensures that patents are only granted for inventions that can provide some beneficial use or practical utility. By meeting these criteria, an invention can be granted a patent, which not only recognizes the inventor’s contribution but also encourages further innovation by providing a period of exclusive rights to the inventor.