# What is a Patent?

- Link: https://www.lumlawgroup.com/what-is-a-patent/
- Published: 2017-12-12T14:31:50-08:00
- Author: Albert J Lum

## Definition of a Patent

> “Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture,
> or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain
> a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.” –
> 35 USC, Section 101

## Definition of an Inventor

> “The term “inventor” means the individual or, if a joint invention, the individuals
> collectively who invented or discovered the subject matter of the invention.” –
> 35 USC, Section 100

## Patent Rights

A patent gives the patent owner the right to exclude others from making, using, 
selling, offering for sale, or importing a patented invention for the term of the
patent. It does not give the patent owner the exclusive right to make the invention(
the invention may be an improvement of another invention, therefore, making it might
be affected by another invention).

## Term of a Patent

The term of a patent (validity period) is twenty (20) years from the date the application
is filed.

 

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